DATELINE: 14th May 2001

AMNESTY ENDS
The Wreck Amnesty, run for three months by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, came to an end on 24 April. The Receiver of Wreck, Veronica Robins, reported that a wide variety of finds have been reported by divers hoping to secure immunity from prosecution for holding unreported items.
Although full results have yet to be announced, the Receiver has said that responses accelerated to "some 50 a day" as the amnesty neared its conclusion.
Reports ranged from the ubiquitous portholes to items as large as cannon and potentially precious coins dating to the reign of Charles I.
One of the Receiver's main fears has been realised - the discovery of dangerous ordnance.
"Someone had taken over a shop in London's Streatham area that contained two potentially explosive 12in shells, which had to be rendered safe by an MoD team," she said. Even if the main explosive in ammunition is safe, it is still possible for detonators to go off, with disastrous consequences.
From now on, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency is expected to take a tougher line against divers and others who hold marine finds without reporting them.

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