Posted by Kevin on December 21, 2000 at 14:47:33:
In Reply to: Re: PADI Wreck Specialty Reqmts? posted by tleemay on December 21, 2000 at 13:59:55:
As a local wreck instructor I can assure you that NAUI,
PADI, SSI or IDEA DO NOT require anyone to remove
anything off a wreck. In fact, as an instructor
I require my students in my wreck diving course
to research and obtain copies of and follow any
and all laws regarding artifact collection.
Besides the 30 Federal Laws, such as:
THE ANTIQUITIES ACT
HISTORIC SITE ACT
SUBMERGED LANDS ACT
RESERVOIR SALVAGE ACT
HISTORIC PRESERVATION ACT
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT
ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCE PROTECTION
and the ABANDONED SHIPWRECK ACT,
there are also state laws regarding shipwrecks.
In California there are about 40 laws.
Of all the agencies and all the courses, salvage
techniques are only taught in the " Search and
Recovery" course, and it has been at least a year
since I have taught that course.
There still are thousands of shipwrecks out there in Southern
California, and over hundreds here in Los Angeles County
adjacent waters, that it is legal to remove items
from. Last night I entered two artefacts in a local
wreck divers competion, a torpedo launcher and a
ship's helm, both legally recovered.
Hope that answered your question Terry !
Kevin