I would like to propose a new discussion about the legal and ethical aspects of wreck diving in your countries.
Starting with my country - Latvia - It appears that some people I have been in contact with ( who been diving to the wrecks already for many years and know coordinates) actually are demolishing wrecks - hunting for the color metal and items they could sell. On one occasion we dived to the wreck and discovered that some parts of it where fresh cut by autogenous ( that you know needs serious preparation).
Unfortunately until this day diving on wrecks is not much restricted and controlled by legislation which allows people to behave under water like savages. We do not have any official institution, which could somehow organize and control the issues related to underwater archeology.
I am going to post this as a new tread in general scuba forum.
I and I think I am not the only one would be very much interested to see how these issues are regulated and what do you all think about it!
Normunds
Starting with my country - Latvia - It appears that some people I have been in contact with ( who been diving to the wrecks already for many years and know coordinates) actually are demolishing wrecks - hunting for the color metal and items they could sell. On one occasion we dived to the wreck and discovered that some parts of it where fresh cut by autogenous ( that you know needs serious preparation).
Unfortunately until this day diving on wrecks is not much restricted and controlled by legislation which allows people to behave under water like savages. We do not have any official institution, which could somehow organize and control the issues related to underwater archeology.
I am going to post this as a new tread in general scuba forum.
I and I think I am not the only one would be very much interested to see how these issues are regulated and what do you all think about it!
Normunds