DIVERS FINED AFTER RAIDING SHIPWRECKS WITHOUT DECLARING THEIR FINDS
David Knight and Edward Huzzey, both from Sandgate, had previously
pleaded guilty to 19 offences between them, contrary to
section 236 and section 237 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995. Knight was fined £7,000 and Huzzey £6,500. They
were each ordered to pay £25,000 in costs.
Items were taken from shipwrecks off the Kent coast, with
the first known objects removed in 2001. The shipwrecks targeted included
German submarines from World War I and an unknown 200 year old wreck carrying
English East India Company cargo.
The items included eight bronze cannons, three propellers from
German submarines, lead and tin ingots, along with various other artefacts.
It’s thought the combined value of the items is more than £250,000.
The MCA is aware from diary entries that Knight and Huzzey used
explosives and sophisticated cutting equipment to free wreck material.
It’s believed that six of the cannons had been sold on, but in the last
fortnight they have been returned to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
Taking this into account in passing sentence at Southampton Magistrates’
Court, District Judge Calloway, said: “The scale of the operation has to be
considered to have been on an industrial scale: the resources employed were
valuable and substantial, using good quality lifting equipment and explosives. Huzzey
and Knight are friends and clearly operated in close co-operation to actively
scavenge for material from the wrecks
they explored."
Alison Kentuck, the MCA’s Receiver of Wreck, said: “It is not a case of
‘finders keepers’. Our message is clear: all wreck material found within
or brought within UK territorial waters must be reported to the Receiver of
Wreck.
“Finders of wreck have 28 days to declare their finds to the Receiver.
This case demonstrates what could happen to you if you don’t. By reporting
wreck material you are giving the rightful owner the opportunity to have their
property returned and you may be adding important information to the historic
record.
English Heritage has provided expert advice in relation to
uncontrolled salvage on submerged archaeological remains and on the handling of
the seized artefacts."
Mark Harrison, English Heritage's National
Policing and Crime Adviser, said: "The sentence today sets an important
precedent in the fight against uncontrolled salvage by a small criminal
minority who have no appreciation for our national maritime heritage.
Sophisticated techniques and equipment were used by these men to remove
valuable artefacts from the seabed.”
Mark Dunkley, English Heritage's Maritime
Archaeologist said: "English Heritage takes very seriously all cases of heritage
crime which robs us of our shared history. However, we recognise that the
majority of divers do act responsibly and comply with the laws and regulations
relating to historic wreck sites and salvage."
Photos of all recovered artefacts can be found using this link: https://mcanet.mcga.gov.uk/press/Knight-Huzzey-court-case
Photos of all recovered artefacts can be found using this link: https://mcanet.mcga.gov.uk/press/Knight-Huzzey-court-case