The death of the UK Wrecker? February 6, 2006
Posted by chris in : Uncategorized , trackbackThere’s a lot of noise right now about the proposals to reclassify all UK wrecks over 50 years old as “historic”. What does that mean? Well as best I understand it the definition of an historic wreck is one that cannot be dived without permission from the relevant UK government body. At the moment that body is, I believe, English Heritage, but these things change and it is by no means certain that this is a permanent situation.
At first this may seem like an unimportant thing. It is only when one considers the true meaning of this that the reality dawns. For a start most UK wrecks were sunk during the second World War. That means they are now all over 50 years old and will be covered by these proposals. Perhaps one of the best known wrecks in the UK is the James Egan Layne, a liberty ship. Known affectionately by UK divers as “the Layne” it sits just off Plymouth in the clear waters of the Devon and Cornwall borders. It is rumoured that on one bank holiday weekend there were over 200 divers on this wreck at the same time, the outpouring of some 20 dive boats!
Image then if you can that this volume of traffic would need permission from the government. Furthermore try to envisage a situation where the government department, in its market-driven, free enterprise, privatise everything manner decides that the permissions will be granted in return for a fee….
While the commercial charter skippers may well be able to cope and obtain permits it is most likely the club divers that will lose out. The UK is unusual in that much diving activity is within a club environment. The British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC) is the world’s biggest diving club.
These proposals are a threat to the sport of diving in the UK. To describe them as anything less is foolish. At this stage we in the diving community must work together to make our views heard and to reach a compromise between the legitimate need to preserve the maritime history of the UK and the right of the UK’s citizens to visit, view and enjoy that history.
So, how do we gain this consultation? Well here’s the bit that should make you angry. The UK government has decided that we, the diving community, cannot take part in the process. The consultation will exclude the BSAC and the representatives of the commercial diving bodies such as PADI, the world’s largest diver training body or representatives from the charter boat business.
This is nothing short of dictatorship. It is not how a democracy is supposed to work.
If you are a UK citizen and a diver you should write to your MP and ask why your views are not welcome on this subject. Don’t rant and rave about the detail - that hasn’t been decided yet. Demand that you should be heard and that there should be representation by the diving groups.
The Blair government has proven to be one of the most power-hungry in many years. Blair and the people around him have developed a habit of ignoring popular opinion and pushing through whatever measures they see fit. We have had an illegal war with Iraq and we are now headed towards UK ID cards at unknown cost. Those that opposed these are silenced and even respected sources rubbished when they voice different opinion.
This “democratic deficit” must stop. It cannot be allowed to spoil our sport, or our country. Blair must be stopped before “New Labour” turn our country into an Orwellian nightmare state where everything is controlled to the very last degree. Some folks will have a different view to me about Iraq or ID cards or speed cameras or CCTV. That’s just fine. I cannot be right about everything and you are entitled to your opinion as am I. Lets enjoy that, but enjoy too the freedom to live without government interference in every aspect of everyday life.
Even if you agree with the government’s proposals for our shipwrecks how do you feel about the fact you have no right to voice your views?
Write to your MP now.
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