11 shipwrecks classified as monuments are now accessible for recreational diving, after the their documentation was completed by the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities. Diving is allowed only outside and around shipwrecks, with exploring their interior being strictly prohibited. As noted in the announcement the Ministry of Culture and Sports, entering the wreck is only allowed strictly for research purposes, following a decision by the Ministry’s Services.

The shipwrecks are the following: Ocean liner HMHS Britannic off Kea, Ocean liner S / S Burdigala (Kea), paddle steamer PATRIS (Kea), cargo steamer ARTEMIS PITA (Milos), Cargo Steamer SIFNOS (Milos), steamer MINNEWASKA (Marathi, Crete), (MM) ), the MYTILINI shipwreck (Kypsas Bay, Kassandra, Halkidiki), a shipwreck off Kalamitsi, Halkidiki, cement ship SS CRETELAND (Agios Georgios, Euboea), cement ship PIONEER I (Lichades, Evia) and and VOLOS steamer (Lefteris reef, between Pelion and Skiathos).

According to the terms of the Joint Ministerial Decision last March by Ministers of National Defense Nikos Panagiotopoulos, Culture and Sports Lina Mendoni and Shipping and Island Policy, Giannis Plakiotakis, which determines the conditions for recreational diving, those interested must notify the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities of the Ministry of Culture and Sports. Specifically the required information should be posted to the e-mail address: [email protected], at least one day before the dive.

It is noted that divers are prohibited from any act or omission that results in the intervention, and thereby the  contact and damages of the wrecks, as well as the collection, removal or relocation of any movable items found in them or on the seabed surrounding them. It is also forbidden to conduct research to uncover movable objects both on the site of the shipwreck and in its wider area which may be related to it.

More shipwrecks are now in the process of being delivered, as soon as their documentation is completed by the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities.