The Protection of Wrecks (Designation) (England) Order 2008

Made21st October 2008

Laid before Parliament23rd October 2008

Coming into force24th October 2008

The Secretary of State makes the following Order in exercise of the powers conferred under section 1(1), (2) and (4) of the Protection of Wrecks Act 19731. In accordance with section 1(1) of that Act the Secretary of State is satisfied that the two sites identified in article 2 of this Order, are, or may prove to be, the sites of a vessel lying wrecked on or in the sea bed and that, on account of the historical, archaeological or artistic importance of the vessel, or of any objects contained or formerly contained in it which may be lying on the sea bed in or near the wreck, both sites ought to be protected from unauthorised interference. The Secretary of State is also satisfied that this is a case in which an order should be made as a matter of immediate urgency.

Citation and commencement1.

This Order may be cited as the Protection of Wrecks (Designation) (England) Order 2008 and shall come into force on 24th October 2008.

Identification of sites and designation of restricted areas2.

(1)

The first site in respect of which this Order is made is identified as the site where a vessel lies, or is supposed to lie, wrecked on or in the sea bed within the area bounded by straight lines whose corners lie at the points specified in Table 1 below2:

Table 1

Point	Latitude	Longitude
NW	51°29.7477′N	00°44.3802′E
NE	51°29.7435′N	00°44.4159′E
SE	51°29.7240′N	00°44.4091′E
SW	51°29.7287′N	00°44.3734′E

(2)

The second site in respect of which this Order is made is identified as the site where a vessel lies, or is supposed to lie, wrecked on or in the sea bed within the area bounded by straight lines whose corners lie at the points specified in Table 2 below:

Table 2

Point	Latitude	Longitude
NW	51°29.7622′N	00°43.9862′E
NE	51°29.7532′N	00°44.0506′E
SE	51°29.7244′N	00°44.0408′E
SW	51°29.7334′N	00°43.9764′E

(3)

The areas identified in paragraphs (1) and (2) above, excluding any part of those areas above high water mark of ordinary spring tides, are designated as restricted areas for the purposes of the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973.

Barbara Follett

Minister for Culture

Department for Culture, Media and Sport

21st October 2008

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order designates as restricted areas for the purposes of the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 two areas of the Thames Estuary. These areas are believed to be the wreck sites of the vessel “London” which the Secretary of State is satisfied ought to be protected, as a matter of immediate urgency, from unauthorised interference on account of its historical, archaeological or artistic importance.

A full regulatory impact assessment has not been produced for this Order.