Protected Wreck Association seeks new members

The team lay a wreath on one of the Valentine tanks. Photo credit: Nick Reed

The Protected Wreck Association (PWA) safeguards the UK's underwater heritage. Jane Maddocks explains why BSAC members should get involved.

Calling all BSAC members who currently dive on wrecks that are protected by any of the laws protecting wrecks in the whole UK, civilian or military: in the late 70s and 80s over 500 ordinary recreational divers like you and me dived the Mary Rose. We made an amazing contribution to the cultural heritage of the UK, and guess what - we are still doing it.

So, what is the PWA?

It is an association of people who dive protected wrecks. So this does mean you.

We want to include anyone who helps to survey, monitor, excavate or research inland, foreshore, intertidal and underwater cultural heritage sites around the UK which are protected under cultural heritage legislation, or its equivalents in the devolved administrations of the UK (N. Ireland, Scotland and Wales). 

What we want to achieve is to have open communication, discussion, collaboration and communication with avocationals and professional archaeologists, and all the members of our teams who work their socks off investigating those special wrecks.

YOU make wreck research happen

You are the ones out there, videoing the change in your wreck since the last series of storms moved the seabed around. You are the one sitting at your laptop delving into the documents online. Perhaps you are scrubbing off the tapes that are mucky from your last dive. Perhaps you are completing a report as your wellies dry out from the last time you visited your wreck sitting on the foreshore.

We are stronger together. In the past it has seemed as though only the team leaders were members. Now, we really want to open things out and include the whole team involving all those who contribute. So if you are in a team championing a protected wreck anywhere in the UK then think seriously about becoming a member.

It does not cost anything to join us. The more of us that do join, the wider our pool of advice, and the more powerful our voice can be as we champion our favourite wrecks. After all, it was the work done by Alison Mayor, currently BSAC’s Underwater Cultural Heritage Advisor, and her team, on the Tanks and Bulldozers that helped to make some of our underwater sites Scheduled Ancient Monuments.

Find out more and get involved

Membership of the Protected Wreck Association is currently free. To find out more, visit the Protected Wreck Association website or email info@protectedwrecks.org.uk