War Graves
It is fair to say that many of the ships that are lost at sea are lost in often tragic circumstances. Next of Kin and indeed patriarchal groups to such memorials should be shown due respect when visiting such resting places to so many souls.
What is clear is this area and topic is both sensitive and requires careful consideration and respect. We totally understand all points of view on this subject and the MoD and the UK Government has put in place The Protection of Military Remains Act 1986, and provision is so made at this time I looked for 12 wrecks to be designated as Controlled Sites (in UK waters) and 38 wrecks as Protected Sites (In International Waters). Take a look at the MCA's website for the detailed and latest list on such measures.
It is a tragedy that any of these Ships have been lost. No body can quantify or indeed fully understand the extent of the loss caused, except the loved ones and their families. We as a responsible Technical Diving Training Facility do actively promote such respect of all wrecks and controlled /protected sites. It is necessary to explore and therefore understand the archaeological, historic or other reasons for such disasters, sometimes indeed in support of the work of the War Graves Commission. We nor any other responsible divers would agree with desecrating any land or sea (war) grave.
It is worth also saying that the majority of wreck explorers are not morbid souvenir hunters. In fact considerable good has come from divers not only finding wrecks and the last resting place of such, but have often solved key mysteries as to how such ships sadly went down. Often many of these wrecks become sites of significant life in the form of marine reefs with extreme splender in fish, invertebrate and significant flora. Much of our Maritime History and Natural History artefacts come from many archaeological and marine sites. It is such recovery (when done for the right reasons), that help society understand and remember such with compassion and due thought.
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