Recovery vs vandalism

[derwoodwithasherwood]

One of my hobbies is restoring old runabouts and outboards. An erstwhile dive buddy suffers from the same passion and we have restored a couple together. At the moment, he has 90% completed an old 13' lady racer that was fitted with custom made 1-off hardware that's kind of hard to find.

On a recent test run, he was approached by a fellow who recognized the craft as a twin to the one his family used to own. 30 years ago, the hull started to rot out and they sank it a few hundred yards offshore of the family cottage, in 60' of northern Ontario fresh water. Complete with all the fittings.

You may have guessed by now where this is going. We now know approximately where all the needed parts are, free for the taking with the owner's guidance and permission.

While stripping a wreck of souvenirs is generally considered wrong, and in fact illegal in many areas, what are the pros and cons in this situation? Would removing the deck fittings from this boat be considered a legitimate salvage operation or desecration of a wreck?

 

[TX101]

When a boat sinks, the owner still owns it. The only reason people don't like other people recovering items from wrecks is so that other divers can see the wreck in it's natural environment. At the end of the day though, someone owns it and if they want it recovered then thats their business. If you've been given permission to remove all the fittings, then I don't see any problem. You may want to get it in writing though...

 

[String]

In the UK you should report all finds/recoveries to the receiver of the wreck.

They will then try to trace the owner. If succesful the owner gets the choice of the goods back for an appropriate salvage fee OR grants the finder permission to keep the find.

If they cant find the owner its normally finders-keepers.

 

[pipedope]

In many cases, the owners of a wreck are required to remove the wreck.

In any case the owner has the right to recover their property and dispose of it as they please.

Unless some government agency has come in and declared the boat a historic wreck or made it a park then you are fine.

The key is that the owner is on board with your efforts.