Where are shipwrecks found and why are they important?
Victoria has a wonderful underwater cultural heritage. Sunken submarines, steamships and ferries are some of the impressive wrecks to be found scattered in our waters.
A silent fleet of ships also lies scuttled in deep water off Port Phillip Heads in the Ships' Graveyard while the well preserved hulls of wooden sailing ships support spectacular marine life on the seabed. The remains of small ships and large sailing vessels also rest along our coast. Some of these sites are remarkably intact, while others are more scattered.
Shipwrecks are important because they provide a wealth of historical, technical, social, archaeological and scientific information about Victoria's maritime heritage.
Many are popular diving sites and offer a unique experience to divers.
Exhibitions and land-based trails make some of them accessible to others.
What is Heritage Victoria's role in conserving shipwrecks?
We administer both Victoria's Heritage Act 1995 and the Commonwealth Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976.
The majority of Victoria's shipwrecks are protected by a 75-year rolling date or by individual declaration.
We issue permits for shipwrecks which involve disturbance to the remains, or for access to those specially declared as protected zones.
Our maritime heritage program involves detailed research, regional site surveys, individual site survey work, excavation, artefact analysis, site management and the active promotion of shipwrecks through underwater trails, pamphlets, books and exhibitions.
How many shipwrecks are there in Victorian waters?
There are believed to be about 650 historic shipwrecks in Victorian waters. Only about 25 percent of these have been found and explored. A selection of these are recorded on Admiralty Charts. Many wrecks await discovery in less popular dive spots, or in the deep waters off the coast. These sites are most often found by recreational divers, but are increasingly found as a result of development activity, such as installing telecommunications cables and pipelines, or through channel dredging and fishing activities.
What should I do if I want to explore a shipwreck?
Most wrecks have historic status under the legislation and some particularly significant historic shipwrecks are designated as protected zones. These are usually sensitive sites of particularly high archaeological value and the no-entry zone forbids diving and boating within a designated distance around the wreck. It is important that you check whether a permit is required before exploring a shipwreck or investigating any relics which may have washed out from shipwrecks. Permits are issued by the Heritage Victoria Maritime Unit.
What should I do if I find a shipwreck or shipwreck relic?
If you find a shipwreck when diving, or if you are undertaking operations that unexpectedly uncover a shipwreck, do not disturb it in any way.
Unless the shipwreck is very well known, you should assume that its position is yet to be officially recorded. You should immediately us so we can inspect the site. Finders are welcome to participate in the inspection.
Under the Heritage Act 1995, finders of shipwrecks or associated relics are eligible to receive a special award. In some exceptional instances a financial reward may apply.
Shipwreck report form (514Kb PDF)
How can I help to preserve shipwrecks and relics?
If you believe a shipwreck or relic is being damaged by the environment or human interference, you should immediately contact us on 03 8644 8800 or heritage.victoria@dpcd.vic.gov.au.
Factors that affect the stability of submerged shipwrecks:
- Changes in temperature, sea salts or pollution levels
- Introduction of different marine life and growth
- Increased oxygen levels including trapped air pockets from divers' exhaust bubbles
- Seabed changes such as sand scour, or channel widening
- Mechanical damage, abrasion by rocks, sand and falling cliffs
- Human interference.
We keep a close watch on the condition of very significant shipwrecks. However, your participation in reporting what is happening on all wrecks is important to help us preserve Victoria's shipwrecks and relics.
For example, corrosion and storms can cause the hull parts of shipwrecks to spring apart and drop away, leaving the wreck exposed to further damage. Your observations can assist the unit in deciding whether it is possible to do anything to prevent further damage. Reports of unauthorised activity on wrecks are also valuable.
Are some shipwrecks more important than others?
The majority of wrecks are protected and Heritage Victoria recognises that some have special significance. Some are so important that they receive a great deal of careful management attention and may undergo special stabilisation, archaeological investigation or promotion.
Should the existence of all relics be reported?
Relics, even if they were removed from wrecks long before they were historic, are still protected. You should contact us even if they are broken items that have been washed up on a beach a long way from a wreck.
How should I treat a shipwreck or relic?
You should treat all shipwrecks and relics with respect and care. Access is allowed to all wrecks - other than in protected zones - and the accepted code of 'look but don't disturb' applies to ensure their long-term survival. Actions by divers that may damage a shipwreck include careless finning, poor buoyancy control or grabbing hold of fragile structures. If an anchor gouges a shipwreck, the wreck will be vulnerable to accelerated corrosion or deterioration. Rather than anchoring on a shipwreck, boat operators should use shot-lines to mark the wreck site and to assist divers in orientating themselves.