IMO & US Coast Guard urge protection of Titanic wreck

The International Maritime Organization, at the request of the United States Coast Guard, has issued a circular urging the maritime community to refrain from certain activities in waters around the Titanic wreck site.

Commercial vessels transiting near the wreck are requested to-

1. Refrain from discharging garbage, blackwater, graywater, and any other incidental discharges to the operation of a vessel within 10 nautical miles of the R.M.S. Titanic wreck site, defined by coordinates in the official document, or, within 15 nautical miles up-current of the same points in the circular.
2. Concentrate any drop weights or other materials necessary for the normal descent and ascent of submersible craft in four specific areas around the wreck site; defined as the areas within 100 meters of coordinates in the circular.
3. Utilize biodegradable materials such as cloth for drop weight bags and for other items that must be left on the bottom during normal submersible operations.
4. Refrain from installing, attaching, or placing additional plaques, memorials, or other temporary or permanent fixtures, however well intended, on the R.M.S. Titanic.
5. Comply with existing IMO standards that prohibit the discharge of plastic, oil, chemicals, or other noxious or hazardous liquids.

The Amver team urges all mariners to heed this request.