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BBC Scotland’s environment correspondent Kevin Keane reported that legal protection has been introduced to safeguard the remaining World War One warships in Scapa Bay off Orkney. In 1919, the 52-strong German High Seas fleet was intentionally sunk by its crews when Admiral Ludwig von Reuter, the commander, mistakenly believed that peace negotiations had collapsed. Over the years, some of the vessels have been rescued, along with numerous artifacts such as ships’ bells, navigation tools, and even musical instruments.
The Scottish government recently declared the historic Marine Protected Area (MPA) to prevent items from being removed from the sites, making it a criminal offense to do so. Orkney Islands Council has long advocated for the historic MPA status, citing the wrecks’ vulnerability and the likelihood of losing “features of historical importance.” The British warships HMS Royal Oak and HMS Vanguard, which sank in Scapa Flow, are designated as war graves, requiring special permission from the Ministry of Defence to visit.
The German fleet, along with other wrecks in Orkney’s waters, have grown in popularity as diving locations. While items were previously allowed to be taken as long as their retrieval was recorded, the historic MPA status now extends broader protection to additional ships, equipping legal authorities with more powers against those who remove items from the area. Energy Secretary Gillian Martin emphasized that the designation would safeguard some of the most significant wreck sites in Scottish seas and preserve them for future generations to explore and learn from.
Additionally, the Queen of Sweden wreck off Shetland, which sank in a storm in 1745, will also be granted historic MPA status. Regarded as one of the best-preserved remnants of a ship from the Swedish East Indian Company, it was the company’s largest vessel when it was lost. Both MPAs are set to take effect in November, a move welcomed by Orkney Islands Council leader Heather Woodbridge, who highlighted the significant heritage value of wrecked vessels like those from the German High Seas Fleet in attracting visitors and contributing to Orkney’s economy
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