SHIPWRECK DIVERS - Action Plan

The 2004 Marine Heritage Resources Action Plan (AP)

Please note - this is the 2004 SAC-approved MHR Action Plan. The one in the DMP differs slightly from this, but keep in mind ALL 33 of the proposed strategies were incorporated into the DMP -- so beware that these concepts are present in the document, even if the language differs slightly!

Click here to read the complete Maritime Heritage Resources Action Plan

In general, the AP describes a 3-tier classification for shipwrecks. They are:

Discovery Phase
Restricted Access
Public Access

There are numerous issues with the classification system outlined here. To mention a few - one issue is the lack of an established timeframe for inventorying and making a disposition on "Discovery Phase" shipwrecks, lack of or vague criteria on the definition of "historically significant", justification for the establishment of exclusion zones and issuance of avoidance guidelines to areas not proven to be of particular importance. The Action Plan and its implications are discussed in more detail in the "Our Response to the AP" section of this website.

Discovery Phase: Newly discovered marine heritage resource (MHR; shipwreck) sites will be classified as "Discovery Phase" sites. Threats to the site will be assessed and SBNMS will issue avoidance guidelines. SBNMS will coordinate with NOAA Fisheries to distribute a notice of these guidelines to fishermen utilizing mobile and fixed gear, stating the coordinates of the potential “hang” sites and the size of the avoidance area around the sites. MHR sites will remain in the Discovery Phase until the sanctuary develops adequate mechanisms on a case-by-case basis for each site’s protection.

Restricted Access Sites: The goal of these sites is to provide protection for MHR sites that possess a greater degree of fragility. Restricted Access Sites cannot host regular visitation because of the risk of impacting the archaeological integrity of the site. These sites must be potentially eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. A heritage preserve, not to exceed 1 square nautical mile, may be utilized around select sites and will extend from the water surface into the seabed. The size of the heritage preserve will be determined on a case-by-case basis

Activities prohibited without possession of a special use or research permit include:

Stopping or remaining
Drifting without power, except when actively engaged in drift surface fishing (ex. shark fishing with chum slick) or commercial whale watching
Using grappling hooks or other anchoring devices
Diving of any type whether by an individual or submarine
Towing remote sensing gear, operating a ROV or drop camera
Shellfish Dredging
Gillnetting in midwater or on the bottom
Bottom fishing with Commercial Rod and Reel or Hand line
Lining on the bottom
Pot and Trap Fishing
Trawling in midwater or on bottom
Using Purse Seines
Recreational bottom fishing

Public Access Sites: Sites designated as Public Access Sites are structurally stable, durable, and capable of hosting increased visitation without significantly impacting the site’s archaeological integrity. Public Access Sites may or may not be potentially eligible for or listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The sanctuary will assess the feasibility for mooring buoys on these sites on a case-by-case basis. SBNMS will explore partnerships to facilitate the establishment and maintenance of mooring buoys on these sites.

Additionally, mandatory notification to the sanctuary must be made to conduct the following activities:

Diving
Towing remote sensing gear
Operating a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), drop camera, and submarine

Prohibited Activity on a Public Access Site includes:

Use of grappling hooks or other anchoring devices on MHR sites that are marked with a mooring buoy.