Security at the Queen Anne's Revenge Site

We get questions about security measures at the Queen Anne's Revenge shipwreck site, usually about whether or not individuals can boat, swim, fish, or dive there. All abandoned shipwrecks and underwater archaeological artifacts recovered in North Carolina waters belong to the people of the state. In the case of QAR, which carries a high level of significance, an area 300 yards surrounding the site has been declared a protected area by the NC Department of Cultural Resources. This declaration preserves certain abandoned shipwrecks and underwater artifacts of primary scientific, archaeological, or historical value as set forth in North Carolina Administrative Code T07 04R.1009. The shipwreck site is managed, under the authority of General Statute121, Article 3, by the Underwater Archaeology Branch of the North Carolina Department of Archives and History (DAH). Activities, such as anchoring, diving, and trawling, are not allowed within this area to insure that valuable archaeological remains are not disturbed or removed.

The QAR site is currently under video and radar surveillance using much the same technology employed by security companies protecting storage facilities. As boats come into the restricted zone an alarm is set off and triggers recording and observation. If vessels are deemed to be violating the protected area, a series of steps are taken in response. In extreme cases, an intruder can expect to be confronted by law enforcement officers on the site.

Criminal penalties can be as much as a $2,000 fine and /or up to six months in jail, and civil penalties can be as high as a $5,000 assessment and forfeiture of vehicles and equipment used in any violation.

The shipwreck is best left to the professionals, who are working on your behalf to properly study and record the exciting archaeological remains associated with the QAR site. We appreciate your help in its protection. Instead we urge you take advantage of the numerous better places on the Crystal Coast for enjoying water sports: swimming, boating, diving, snorkeling, canoeing, kayaking, or whatever. For more information, go to the Crystal Coast website at http://www.sunnync.com/ and be sure to visit the N.C. Maritime Museum at Beaufort to see QAR artifacts and exhibits explaining the archaeologists' findings.

In the Morehead City/Beaufort/Cape Lookout area? Visit the North Carolina Maritime Museum at 315 Front Street, Beaufort, NC and see many of the actual artifacts from Queen Anne's Revenge.