Lifesavers keep an eye on shipwrecks

HERITAGE Victoria is teaming up with coastal community groups to safeguard the state’s fragile and diverse maritime heritage.

The Community Shipwreck Monitoring Trial has been launched with the aim of protecting some of Victoria’s most significant shipwreck sites from damage caused by human interference.

The trial will see members from local Volunteer Coastguard and Surf Life Saving Clubs (SLSC) conduct regular patrols from Queenscliff, Werribee and Inverloch.

The 12-month program is part of a commitment to preserving the state’s shipwreck heritage through helping communities understand their local sites and conduct important monitoring work.

Community involvement is paramount in ensuring the ongoing protection of these precious shipwrecks, which provide valuable social and economic benefits to coastal townships.

Participants from Queenscliff VCG, Werribee VCG and Inverloch SLSC will patrol the sites to monitor and report on damaging human interference to shipwrecks, enabling Heritage Victoria to respond swiftly to reports of behaviour that compromises the safety of these fragile archaeological treasures.

Patrols will be on the look-out for any damaging activities including anchoring, fishing and diving in Protected Zones, which can cause irreversible damage to the most sensitive wrecks.

The initiative is part of Heritage Victoria’s Maritime Heritage at Risk Program, aimed at identifying and prioritising the state’s most significant shipwrecks; providing an assessment of their current and future risk and implementing a site management program to better safeguard them.

“Shipwrecks are fascinating reminders of Victorian history and there is much we can learn from them, but we are at risk of losing these fragile archaeological sites if we don’t take action to protect them from further damage,” Heritage Victoria executive director Steven Avery said.

“The Community Shipwreck Monitoring Trial is empowering the community to be good custodians of our irreplaceable historic treasures like shipwrecks that enrich our pristine coastline.”

“Safeguarding Victoria’s maritime heritage is a shared responsibility and Heritage Victoria will work closely with the  community through volunteer Coastguard and Surf Life Saving Clubs to plan for the ongoing protection and survival of historic shipwrecks.”