ST Sheraton. Picture courtesy NAS
Entries are now being invited for the Adopt-a-Wreck award 2009, which recognises the person or group that has made the most significant contribution to maritime archaeology and research through the wreck adoption scheme.
The scheme aims to develop a sense of ownership and stewardship for the UK's coastal and underwater cultural heritage by encouraging individuals, groups and clubs to adopt maritime sites. Each year those who have adopted and carried out work on a site are encouraged to enter for the annual award.
The judging panel, made up of the Receiver of the Wreck and representatives from the UK's major diving organisations, are seeking entries based around a milestone report, completed project, or an annual submission.
The Adopt-a-Wreck scheme is part of the wider Dive with a Purpose initiative, introduced in 2000. It derives its funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund through the Diving into History Project.
Previous winners have set the bar high and organisers say that the award will not be made if the panel feels that this year's entries do not meet the standards set by previous winners.
HMS Erin. Picture courtesy NAS
Last year's winners, Ed Cumming and Todd Stevens of the Islands Maritime Group, were chosen for their work on the Rosevear Ledge site, where they carried out work identifying it as the East India Company packet NANCY, which sank in a storm in 1784.
The 2007 award was won by Paul Burnett, who adopted all 80 of the sunken boats located along the banks of the River Severn between Purton and Sharpness. The boats were intentionally sunk in 1909 to strengthen the canal bank and The Purton Ships' Graveyard has now become one of the largest collections of maritime artefacts on the foreshore of Great Britain today.
Paul carried out intensive historical research combined with archaeological surveys of the remaining hulks, assisted by the friends of Purton and the NAS.
For more information and to download an application form visit the Nautical Archaeological Society website
More than 100 sites have currently been adopted under the scheme, both in the UK and overseas. If you or your group have a site you visit regularly and would like to adopt, visit the Nautical Archaeological Society website.
