Relics from HMS Sirius that have been taken off the wreck site, as well as those that still lie under the water, are all protected by the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976. This Act protects shipwrecks and their associated relics that are older than 75 years and applies to Australian waters from the low tide mark to the end of the continental shelf.

The aims of the Historic Shipwrecks Act are to ensure that historic shipwrecks are protected for their heritage values and maintained for recreational, scientific and educational purposes. It also seeks to:

 “control actions which may result in damage, interference, removal or destruction of an historic shipwreck or associated relic. Divers can use wreck sites for recreational purposes but relics must not be removed from the wreck site and the physical fabric of the wreck must not be disturbed, unless a permit has been obtained” .

Some historic shipwreck sites lie within protected or no-entry zones. These zones have been declared where the site is placed at particular risk if interfered with. This does not apply to the wreck site of the Sirius. This means that on Norfolk Island you can dive on the wreck site, but you may not remove material or disturb the site in any way unless a permit had been issued. A permit is available through the Director of the Norfolk Island Museum in their capacity as the Ministers nominated Delegate with responsibility for shipwreck materials from the waters surrounding Norfolk Island (for further information on permits see www.environment.gov.au/heritage/shipwrecks). If a relic is taken from the site it should be reported to the Delegate immediately. Historic shipwrecks and associated relics do not belong to the individuals who find them.

The transfer, possession and custody of material such as relics, including coins from historic shipwrecks, are also regulated. The Law however does provide ways that dealers and collectors can legally sell and purchase shipwreck relics. The only historic shipwreck relics legally in circulation are those which have a registration certificate. The Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976 does not prevent private possession of certified shipwreck relics, nor the sale or disposal of these relics, but it does regulate their transfer.

Historic shipwrecks and their associated relics are protected even if you came into possession of the material long before the Historic Shipwrecks Act existed. A number of artefacts were removed from the Sirius shipwreck site prior to 1976. While the people who have them can retain these items, they are still protected under this Act. People in possession of items should make themselves aware of the Law and what they can and cannot do with them.

For further information on the recovery, sale and possession of historic shipwreck material visit the Commonwealth Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts at www.environment.gov.au/heritage/shipwrecks

Historic Shipwrecks Program
The Historic Shipwrecks Act is implemented through the Historic Shipwrecks Program administered by the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. Each year they provide funding to State and Territory agencies to assist them to protect and promote shipwrecks and their relics. The Department also provides information on:

Environmental planning applications

International agreements

Historic Shipwreck Laws

Historic Shipwreck protected zones

Famous Australian shipwrecks

State and Territory Shipwreck trails

The Department also maintain a National Shipwrecks Database of shipwreck sites and relics.

Link: www.environment.gov.au/heritage/shipwrecks