UK Bill Could Extend Protection to Warship Wrecks

A proposed amendment in the United Kingdom’s Armed Forces Bill 2026 could expand legal protection for military shipwrecks in British waters, potentially affecting how divers explore many historic wreck sites around the UK coast.

The proposal, contained in Clause 47 of the bill, would amend the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 to include vessels that sank while in military service, extending legal safeguards that currently apply only to specifically designated wrecks.

Legislative change

The Protection of Military Remains Act was introduced to safeguard the remains of service personnel lost in military aircraft and naval incidents. Under the current framework, military aircraft wrecks are automatically protected, while shipwrecks must be individually designated by government order.

Clause 47 proposes extending the Act to include “any vessel which has sunk or been stranded while in military service.” The clause also states that the protection may apply to foreign military vessels located within UK territorial waters, not only British naval losses.

If adopted, the amendment would mean that military vessels lost in service could automatically fall within the scope of the Act rather than requiring individual designation.

Implications for divers

For recreational divers, the practical consequences are likely to be subtle but important. The legislation would not necessarily prohibit diving on military wrecks, but it would place clearer restrictions on how such sites may be treated.

Under the existing Act, wrecks designated as Protected Places may still be visited by divers, but disturbing the site is prohibited. This includes removing artefacts, damaging the wreck or otherwise interfering with it.

Diving organisations say the same principle would apply if vessels become automatically protected. As the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC) explains, divers would still be able to visit such wrecks, but only on a “look, don’t touch, enter or interfere or collect souvenirs” basis.

In practice, this means divers could observe the wreck externally but would generally not be permitted to enter the structure or remove items.

Wider scope

The proposal may also extend protection to vessels not normally considered naval wrecks.

According to BSAC, merchant ships that were temporarily in military service—for example vessels carrying Royal Navy gunners during wartime—could also fall within the Act’s definition of military remains.

If the amendment is adopted, such vessels would effectively become Protected Places by default, potentially expanding the number of historic wrecks covered by the legislation.

Historic wrecks

British waters contain hundreds of wrecks linked to wartime naval operations, including warships, submarines and merchant vessels that sailed under naval protection during the two world wars. Some, such as HMS Royal Oak in Scapa Flow, are already protected as maritime war graves. Many others, however, remain accessible dive sites, ranging from naval vessels to armed merchant ships that carried defensive gun crews.

If the amendment is adopted, a much larger number of these sites could fall within the scope of the Protection of Military Remains Act.

Ongoing process

The Armed Forces Bill 2026 is still progressing through Parliament and the final wording may change before becoming law.

If adopted in its current form, however, the amendment could significantly expand the number of military wrecks in UK waters that fall under the Act’s protection.