UK adds war grave sites under Military Remains Act 2026

From 30 March 2026, the UK’s updated protections for military wrecks come into force. Signed on 9 March 2026, the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 (Designation of Vessels and Controlled Sites) Order 2026-S.I. 2026/286-adds new named wrecks to the protected list, creates new controlled sites, and revokes the 2019 order. If you’ve ever read a dive guide and wondered what “designated vessel” or “controlled site” really means, this is your map and glossary rolled into one.

Let’s get the basics straight. The Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 lets the Ministry of Defence protect two things at sea: named wrecks (“designated vessels”, a type of protected place) and tightly drawn areas around known wrecks (“controlled sites”). It is an offence to tamper with, remove, move or enter the interior of a protected wreck; the MoD can issue licences for specified research or recovery. Controlled sites can be designated where a military vessel or aircraft was lost within the last 200 years, and activity there is only lawful under licence. Divers may look but must not touch on a designated vessel; controlled sites are normally no‑entry without prior permission. (legislation.gov.uk)

What’s new in this 2026 Order? According to S.I. 2026/286 on legislation.gov.uk, twenty wrecks are being designated for the first time under the Act. The newly listed vessels are: HMS Albacore, RFA Cairndale, HMS Coquette, RFA Dinsdale, Emile Deschamps, RFA Gray Ranger, HMS Hawke, RFA Hungerford, RFA Industry, HMS Jason, HMS Kale, RFA Montenol, ML‑247, HMS Nottingham, HMS Recruit, RFA Salviking, RFA Slavol, USCG Tampa, TB‑10 and TB‑11.

There are also changes to the tight “controlled site” zones. Controlled sites are being designated for the first time for HMS Cobra, HMCS Regina and HMCS Trentonian. Around HMS Royal Oak and HMS Vanguard in Scapa Flow, the controlled site radius will extend to 350 metres; and the reference point for HMS Natal has been corrected in the Order. For comparison, the 2019 Order set Royal Oak and Vanguard at 200 metres and recorded Natal’s earlier co‑ordinate-so you can see exactly what has changed. (legislation.gov.uk)

If you’re plotting these sites, note that the government uses the World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84) for all points. That’s the same global datum used by most GPS apps and chartplotters, so you can plug the numbers straight into a phone, a dive computer or a classroom mapping exercise without conversion. (legislation.gov.uk)

What this means for you as a diver, filmmaker or student researcher is simple and serious. On designated vessels, respectful visits are allowed, but entering the wreck, moving artefacts or removing anything breaches the law. On controlled sites, you generally must not enter the area at all unless you have a licence issued by the MoD for specific, limited activities. The Act sets out those offences and the licensing power in black and white. (legislation.gov.uk)

Do these rules apply everywhere in the world? In UK waters, yes. In international waters, the UK can still act against UK citizens and UK‑flagged vessels, but reach is more limited-a point made clearly when Parliament first debated the law in 1986. That’s why cooperation with local authorities and respectful practice by divers matter so much. (api.parliament.uk)

Why protect war graves at sea at all? Because they are resting places. The 1986 Act followed public concern about unauthorised salvage on historic losses-HMS Hampshire was a touchstone case in the debates. Families, veterans and communities expect dignity, and the law was designed to uphold it while still allowing licensed research. (api.parliament.uk)

If you teach history or maritime studies, this Order is a ready‑made lesson. Have students locate Scapa Flow on a map, draw a 350‑metre radius for Royal Oak and Vanguard, and compare what a “designated vessel” allows versus a “controlled site”. Use the newly listed ships to explore stories from the First and Second World Wars, including allied vessels like HMCS Regina and HMCS Trentonian.

Good practice starts with checking before you splash. Confirm whether a wreck is a designated vessel or sits inside a controlled site; ask the local harbour authority and consult official charts. When in doubt, don’t enter the wreck and don’t take souvenirs. Even museum recoveries from sites like HMS Vanguard have required special permission-so assume permission is needed and plan accordingly. (royalnavy.mod.uk)