Salvage Laws

[xtimgx]

Hey guys. Does anyone know NJ procedure as to salvaging a shipwreck? What steps would need to be followed to go down and dive on a wreck? I'm sure certain permissions must be asked and whatnot. I would hate to find something and have the state laugh at me. Do they do a % of what you find in the water?
-Tim

 

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[xtimgx]

Does anyone know?

 

[pro778]

The state doesn't care about any shipwreck unless you find something of value, then they want it all. You can dive just about any wreck you can find. The only one that has salvage rights on, that I know of, would be the Doria. I hate to bust your bubble, but the only thing you might find will only be small things(a cup, plate, brass valve). All of the wrecks have been hit hard. There might be a wreck that hasn't been found, but it will be a very lucky find.

 

[xtimgx]

That's actually not bad news. At least I can dive and get the experience of it without worrying about getting trouble. I'm sure there are plenty of wrecks to be discovered. A fair estimate according to a few books is there are between 3000-4000 wrecks off NJ shore. Gonna have to find the undisovered one and then not get caught!

 

[pro778]

Do you have your own boat? Better start doing your research now. Your not going to find anything, that hasn't been dove on a lot, unless you know a commercial fisherman REAL well and can get some secret numbers from him. I've been diving and researching wrecks for 15 years and haven't found anything yet. I have numbers, for probably around a thousand wrecks off the Jersey coast. Most wrecks are either blown up, wire dragged or buried. I dove a side wheeler that went down in the late 1800's, hadn't been dove much. It was completely in the sand with just a little of the side and the paddle wheel sticking out of the sand. I haven't heard where anyone has found much yet. If you go on a dive boat you can find some good things but you'll need at least 5 years of hard diving and you'll have to get to know the captain, good. It's a lot of fun, though and it only takes one new wreck. Good Luck!