The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is asking UK divers to help identify pollution seeping from historic wrecks, BSAC announced today.
The MCA occasionally receives reports of oil pollution associated with shipwrecks, although this information is usually received on an ad-hoc basis. Whilst the Government does keep records of known ‘Potentially Polluting Wrecks’, these are often incomplete due to the nature of the vessels’ sinking during times of war.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency have created this short questionnaire, which can be filled out anonymously
Alternatively, please email HQ_CounterPollution@mcga.gov.uk with as much of the following information as possible regarding any known sites:
- Location
- Name of wreck
- Frequency of pollution observed or last observation of pollution
- Any other contextual information
Any information you provide will help the UK Government meet its obligation to protect and preserve the marine environment.
Main image: Tim Nicholson
