In this book the author focuses on the search for a global legal
framework that covers activities affecting archaeological and/or
historic valuable shipwrecks in waters beyond national jurisdiction.
Three regimes are investigated as to their applicability: The Law of the
Sea Convention 1982; the system of admiralty law as adapted to these
particular circumstances and used by US courts; and the UNESCO
Convention for the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage. When
analysing the relevant articles of the regimes, additional critical
commentary is provided. This volume provides policy-makers, commercial
explorers, archaeologists, scholars and students with an overview of the
relevant, existing public international law as well as questions that
need to be solved in order to regulate activities affecting
archaeological and/or historic valuable shipwrecks. In addition, it may
serve as a guide for the interpretation of the UNESCO Convention for the
Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage.