I think it is very much an issue of respect. I see no problem with visiting any wreck where people died and are still entombed as long as you respect it as you would any other cemetary.
Properly done, a dive on a wreck where people have died, war grave or otherwise, causes the diver to remember and reflect upon the events that led to the sinking and on the sailors aboard much like visiting a historical battlefield. There is really no greater honor for the dead than to be remembered in that very personal and meaningful fashion.
The problems occur when some insensitive idiot decides it's his/her God given right to plunder the wreck for artifacts, remains, etc with no concern given to the dead who lie there or consideration to the feelings of the family members or countrymen of those who died.
There are a small minority of idiots like that in every group but they are unfortunately the divers who come to mind in the worst case scenarios that are envisioned when legislation is passed.
The "difference" in many of these diver's minds between a US or British warship and a Japanese or German warship is that "we" won the war. That reprehensible attitude reflects the same kind of devaluation and dehumanization of other people and nations that leads to wars in the first place. The loss and sacrifice of sailors is something that transcends nationalism, politics or the events of the time. Their duty, honor and sacrifice is something that should be honored and remembered regardless of what flag they sailed and fought under.
As a community we need to internally police our ranks to ensure that the attitudes and predjudices that lead to anything other than honoring a war grave during a dive are not tolerated or accepted. It is that type of self regulation and moderation that ensures that abuses do not occur and that wrecks remain open to diving. If a diver desecrates a war grave, boat operators need to take steps to get the word out and ensure he or she never gets another boat ride anywhere in his or her life.
Properly done, a dive on a wreck where people have died, war grave or otherwise, causes the diver to remember and reflect upon the events that led to the sinking and on the sailors aboard much like visiting a historical battlefield. There is really no greater honor for the dead than to be remembered in that very personal and meaningful fashion.
The problems occur when some insensitive idiot decides it's his/her God given right to plunder the wreck for artifacts, remains, etc with no concern given to the dead who lie there or consideration to the feelings of the family members or countrymen of those who died.
There are a small minority of idiots like that in every group but they are unfortunately the divers who come to mind in the worst case scenarios that are envisioned when legislation is passed.
The "difference" in many of these diver's minds between a US or British warship and a Japanese or German warship is that "we" won the war. That reprehensible attitude reflects the same kind of devaluation and dehumanization of other people and nations that leads to wars in the first place. The loss and sacrifice of sailors is something that transcends nationalism, politics or the events of the time. Their duty, honor and sacrifice is something that should be honored and remembered regardless of what flag they sailed and fought under.
As a community we need to internally police our ranks to ensure that the attitudes and predjudices that lead to anything other than honoring a war grave during a dive are not tolerated or accepted. It is that type of self regulation and moderation that ensures that abuses do not occur and that wrecks remain open to diving. If a diver desecrates a war grave, boat operators need to take steps to get the word out and ensure he or she never gets another boat ride anywhere in his or her life.
