BOEM and BSEE Update Guidance for Offshore Archaeological Protection

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) today issued guidance to oil and gas companies operating in the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) extending existing guidance on how to conduct archaeological resources surveys and prepare archaeological reports, and adding certain additional areas for examination based on new information about the likely location of historical resources.

“There are more than 2,100 historic shipwrecks in the Federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico, and we have a shared responsibility to protect our cultural and historical resources,” said BOEM Director Tommy P. Beaudreau. “In light of new information, recent discoveries, and advances in hydrographic survey technology, we are updating our guidance to operators to help meet this responsibility.”

read full article here

National Heritage Protection Plan; Mooring at York, UNESCO Convention anniversary.

National Heritage Protection Plan

English Heritage is piloting using the Communities of Practice website to share information and ideas and to receive input on the National Heritage Protection Plan.

One element of the NHPP Activities for the Pleistocene and Early Holocene is the development of a new research framework for the Mesolithic period. As the first step in this process there will be an online discussion to share thoughts and ideas about researching, protecting and presenting our Mesolithic heritage. The forum will take place on the Communities of Practice site from 2-5 pm on Tuesday 18 October 2011.

Mooring at York

The opportunity has arisen to lease a mooring within the historic city of York on the River Ouse. The Council wishes to encourage use of the River within the City and diversify the range of attractions for visitors and residents. To this end the City of York Council are making available a mooring at Kings Staith for an historic vessel to be open to the public as an attraction. It is intended that the vessel will remain at the mooring and will not be used for passenger trips along the river. Contact valerie.inwood@york.gov.uk for more info.

UNESCO Convention anniversary

This year is the 10th anniversary of the UNESCO Convention on Underwater Cultural Heritage. In order to celebrate this anniversary, an international scientific colloquium on Factors Impacting Underwater Cultural Heritage will be held in Brussels on 13 and 14 December 2011. The colloquium is organised by UNESCO in close collaboration with the Universities of Leuven and Ghent and the Flemisch Heritage Institute. Further details about the colloquium (including a preliminary programme) can be found here.

Deadline for registration is 1 November 2011.

New UK designated wreck, Members needed for ACHWS, Heritage Bill news, Scholarship, Purton hulks

First of all I would like to notify members that  I am leaving my position as MAG Secretary to take up a position abroad. This means I will not be able to act on any emails etc. for the MAG updates or blog or other MAG issues. As my resignation is some time before the next AGM, a new Secretary will be co-opted by the committee shortly. Until then please forward any items for the updates/blog to Virginia Dellino Musgrave at vdm@hwtma.org.uk or Jesse Ransley at jesse@soton.ac.uk. The new Secretary’s details will be distributed members as soon as possible.

Many thanks to all of the MAG members who have contributed so much to the group in the last few years, these updates would not be possible without your input!

17^th century Thames wreck believed to be HMS London designated

Barbara Follett, Minister for Culture, has designated the remains of a historic 17th Century ship, believed to be the London, which sank in the Thames Estuary nearly 350 years ago. More details are available on the DCMS website.

2 members required for the Advisory Committee on Historic Wreck Sites (ACHWS)

DCMS has requested applications for interested parties to fill 2 member posts on the ACHWS, the committee set up to advise Ministers on issues related to historic wrecks. More details can be found on the DCMS website.

Government Response to Report on Draft Heritage Bill

The Government has published its response to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee’s Report on the Draft Heritage Protection Bill and Draft Cultural Property (Armed Conflicts) Bill.

Women’s Underwater Archaeology Scholarship

MAG Members may wish to apply for or pass on details for the Women Divers Hall of Fame Cecelia Connelly Memorial Scholarship for Underwater Archaeology. The scholarship is for $2500, to be used to support a woman graduate or undergraduate student, currently enrolled and in good standing, in an accredited academic program in Underwater Archaeology. Further details can be found on the Women Divers Hall of Fame website.

Other News

Members may remember MAG has previously forwarded news on the Purton Hulks. Recently the Telegraph has taken up the story following recent unsuccessful attempts to protect the site through existing heritage legislation.