Howdy Everyone!
Firstly, what a fantastic resource this site is! Its a truly valuable little resource.
Anyway, im located on the Gold Coast, Australia and have always been really interested in old wrecks and trasure hunting. Its only recently though that I have decided to actively go out and do some hunting. The problem arises that in Australia (like everything else) they over-regulate the heck out of treasure hunting and in particular wreck diving.
From the little that i've been able to find online it appears as if the rule is that ANY sunked vessel over 75 years old in Australian waters is covered by a special act that basically prohibits you from profiting from the wreck or in fact remving anything. Anything younger than that isnt covered by the act and im assuming that normal maritime salvage laws would apply.
I'm just wondering what is actually definied as Australian waters...would it be:
Territorial waters only (12NM)
Contigous Zone (24nm)
Economic zone (200nm)
From what ive read it seems contradictory that they mention australian waters but then talk about their rights over wrecks extending out to the edge of the continental shelf etc. So does anyone have any experience with dealing with Aussie wrecks?
It just seems like there are TONS of undiscovered wrecks down here and that very few people are looking for them (at least publicly). I'm guessing that govt attitudes like this really encourage pirating them etc...so is that litteraly the solution...pirate what you can and keep your trap shut??
I'd really prefer to do things legally if possible, especially if I potentially discovered something that had cultural significance etc.
Any words of wisdom from you experienced members etc?
Firstly, what a fantastic resource this site is! Its a truly valuable little resource.
Anyway, im located on the Gold Coast, Australia and have always been really interested in old wrecks and trasure hunting. Its only recently though that I have decided to actively go out and do some hunting. The problem arises that in Australia (like everything else) they over-regulate the heck out of treasure hunting and in particular wreck diving.
From the little that i've been able to find online it appears as if the rule is that ANY sunked vessel over 75 years old in Australian waters is covered by a special act that basically prohibits you from profiting from the wreck or in fact remving anything. Anything younger than that isnt covered by the act and im assuming that normal maritime salvage laws would apply.
I'm just wondering what is actually definied as Australian waters...would it be:
Territorial waters only (12NM)
Contigous Zone (24nm)
Economic zone (200nm)
From what ive read it seems contradictory that they mention australian waters but then talk about their rights over wrecks extending out to the edge of the continental shelf etc. So does anyone have any experience with dealing with Aussie wrecks?
It just seems like there are TONS of undiscovered wrecks down here and that very few people are looking for them (at least publicly). I'm guessing that govt attitudes like this really encourage pirating them etc...so is that litteraly the solution...pirate what you can and keep your trap shut??
I'd really prefer to do things legally if possible, especially if I potentially discovered something that had cultural significance etc.
Any words of wisdom from you experienced members etc?
