Does the "Sunken Military Craft Act" Prohibit WWII Wreck Penetration in US Waters?

Max Speed · Feb 20, 2012

I was just told that it prevented penetration of US, German and Italian WWII military vessels in US waters. I did a bit of research and found wording that makes it illegal to "disturb" such a wreck. I'm not sure that swimming through would constitute "disturbing".

I did find a US Coast Guard "Policy" statement here- USCG: Frequently Asked Questions but I'm not sure if "policy" has the weight of law.

Wouldn't a swim through be the same as walking through the U-505 in Chicago?

Gilldiver · Feb 20, 2012

Lets just say that the definition of "disturb" has not been made by a court of law.

Thalassamania · Feb 20, 2012

I would interpret "disturb" to mean relocation of an item that is inside of, or part of, such a wreck.

Mopar · Feb 20, 2012

Unless they are considering it a grave. If it was sunk during war time and their were sailors who died on that spot.

Thalassamania · Feb 20, 2012

Doesn't matter if it is a "war grave," I do not believe there is any prohibition against diving, or even penetration, just against "disturbing" with the exception of Pearl Harbor, and that's a National Monument rule, I believe.

Centrals · Feb 20, 2012

Different countries have different laws on diving wreck.
As far as I know the MOD of UK have two categories for war graves(please correct me if it is wrong):
1. A "protected" war grave is off-limited to anyone. You cannot dive the wreck undere any circumstances.
2. A "restricted" war grave is off-limited to penetration.
How the Royal Navy enforcing the law is anybody guess.

I am pretty sure all the wrecks at Truk are classified as war graves by Janapese Gov but........

Thalassamania · Feb 20, 2012

Dive Bikini - no issue with graves!

Centrals · Feb 20, 2012

Thalassamania:
Dive Bikini - no issue with graves!

The issue will be on $$$$$$$ which is more difficult to get around than the law!!!
I am not encouraging anyone to break any law.

Gilldiver · Feb 21, 2012

The problem is that the US Mil has not differentiated between wrecks that were sunk as an act of war or storm and may/or may not have human remains on them vs. wrecks that were sunk as targets or just for disposal and are known to have no remains on-board.

Near me is the U-853 with remains and the submarines USS L-8, USS Bass, and USS Spikefish all sunk as targets after being de-comissioned.

The other thing is that regulations without enforcement is just ink on paper - no one, not the navy, Coast Guard, or the local laww enforcement have the time or money to monitor any of the wrecks.

Saxatilis · Feb 21, 2012

Thalassamania:
Dive Bikini - no issue with graves!

Should I bring my geiger counter though?

Does the "Sunken Military Craft Act" Prohibit WWII Wreck Penetration in US Waters?

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Max Speed

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Gilldiver

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Thalassamania

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Mopar

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Thalassamania

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Centrals

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