New NAS Study

The Nautical Archaeology Society has recently been commissioned by English Heritage to undertake a new study entitled “Benchmarking Competence Requirements and Training Opportunities in Maritime Archaeology.”

The Society wants to hear from anyone with an interest in the historic environment, archaeology (maritime or otherwise), education, training, standards. This is a one-off opportunity to shape the future of maritime archaeology in the UK, and one which will have far-reaching implications. See the full NAS news release with contact details for the NAS.

IKUWA 3 Call for Papers, Mary Rose Silver Jubilee Lectures

IKUWA 3 Call for Papers

The IKUWA 3 conference committee is calling for abstracts of 250-500 words. The closing date for abstracts is the 30th September 2007.

The conference “Beyond Boundaries” will be held on the 10-12 July 2008 at the Institute of Archaeology, University College London.

Details of the conference themes and contact details for the committee are available in the IKUWA 3 call for papers circular.

Mary Rose Silver Jubilee Lectures

Thursday 11th October 2007 marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the raising of the Mary Rose. To mark the occasion, the Mary Rose Trust is hosting a series of events highlighting the importance of the Mary Rose.

The programme includes a lecture series between the 10th and 12th October in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. In addition to lectures, several evening receptions are programmed. Speakers will include past and present Mary Rose Trust staff and other historians and archaeologists.

Details of the lectures can be found on the Mary Rose Lecture Leaflet

HSE Diving Guidance Consultation, Environment Agency Marine Strategy, MAG Bulletin Deadline

HSE Diving Guidance Consultation

As members will recall, the HSE has discussed its concerns about cylinder internal corrosion, the procedures for fitting cylinder valves and cylinder filling. A draft of proposed guidance on these issues was forwarded for comment to both the recreational and Diving Industry Committees. It is now intended to publish this guidance as a Diving Information sheet taking account of feedback from the earlier round of consultation.

The most notable change from the draft is the removal of the proposed annual inspection of cylinders. This is balance by increased guidance on procedures to minimise water ingress plus the strong recommendation that, when there is any chance of water having entered a cylinder, it should be internally inspected before refilling.

A copy of the draft Diving Information sheet is attached. Please forward any comments to Mark Dunkley at mark.dunkley@english-heritage.org.uk by the 31st August.

Cover letter for draft Diving Guidance

Draft Diving Guidance

Environment Agency Marine Strategy

In 2005 the Environment Agency published its Marine Strategy, setting out the agency’s leading role in protecting the marine environment.

The Environment Agency has now produced a progress report looking back over the period since the strategy’s launch detailing some of the Agency’s key successes. The report illustrates the progress made on strategy priorities and includes case studies on their work.

You can download the report at the agency’s website.

New MAG Bulletin Deadline

In a recent update I incorrectly notified members that the deadline for submissions for the Autumn 2007 MAG Bulletin was the 5th August, the date is in fact the 5th October.