Nordic underwater culture heritage legislation

Sweden

Basically, a sunken ship is protected if it can assumed to have sunken more than 100 years ago. Such a wreck site may (unless some exceptions) be dived on by recreational divers. But nothing may be touched.

In case of construction works on a land or underwater archaeological site, investigations must be made on the expense of the contractor.

Swedish authorities

• National Heritage Board (RAÄ) (Riksantikvarieämbetet UV)
• SSHM, the national maritime museums administration
• SMA (Svenskt Marinarkeologiskt Arkiv).
• Coast Guard (Kustbevakningen)
• County andministration (Länsstyrelsen). On local level.
• County museums. On local level.

Swedish legislation

• "Lagen om kulturminnen, mm, SFS 1988:950, SFS 1991:474, 2 kap."

Nordic authorities

• National Board of Antiquities (Museiverket), Finland
• Directorate for Cultural Heritage (Riksantikvaren), Norway
• Kulturarvstyrelsen, Denmark
• Read more in the sections about authorities in Finland, Norway, Denmark and Sweden.

Nordic legislation

• Finland has a legislation similar to Sweden, automatically protecting wrecks older than 100 years. Current law is "Lag om fornminnen 17.6.1963/295". Violation can lead to 2 years in prison.
• Province island Åland has a general prohibition against all wreck diving, except for a few sites provided by licensed dive centres. The current law is from 1974. Violation can lead to 2 to 4 years in prison.
• Norway has a legislation similar to Sweden and Finland. Current law is  §14 i lov om kulturminner från 1978. Violations can lead to fines but not prison.
• Denmark has a legislation similar to Sweden, Finland and Norway since 1963. Current (revised) law is "Museumsloven av 2001, kap 8 & 14". Violations can lead to fines but not prison.
• Read more in the sections about authorities in Finland, Norway, Denmark and Sweden.

Per Åkesson, 2003

Thanks to Pål Nymoen, Oslo, for the photo.