Greece – a member of the EU / Eurozone – declared after 50 years, as a marine historical site one of the few such marine parks in the world which includes the wreck of the “HMS Britannic” (sister ship of the legendary “Titanic”) and received recognition and the protection that this development entails. However, the “HMS Britannic” is not the only shipwreck that received the recognition and protection that this development entails: the shipwrecks of “Burdigala” and the Greek steamer “Patris” were also declared historic sites.
This is a development that is expected to have multilevel benefits for Greece, its promotion and tourism, but also for the island of Kea itself, in the waters of which these historic ships rest. The extremely rich cultural stock of the island of Kea is further enriched, while strengthening the development and economic potential of the island. It is a theme water park, unique in the world data, which consists of protected sea areas of 360 acres each, over the three important historical shipwrecks, newer monuments located on the island: the ocean liner “British”, the ocean liner “Burdigala “, but also of the wheeled Greek steamer” Patris “.
The fourth “wreck” of the Junkers 52 aircraft will be added soon. The new water park places three absolute protection zones for the historical monuments, prohibiting all forms of amateur and professional fishing in the specific areas. The island finally acquires protected marine zones which with proper management will soon be a pole of attraction for renovation and multiplication of marine life. It is estimated that in three to five years the stocks will increase dramatically to levels unbelievable for the Mediterranean.
Pole of attraction
These wrecks are internationally known and are an attraction for experienced divers from around the world. Under the new legal framework, suitably certified divers from around the world will be able to dive in shipwrecks, provided they organize their dives, supported and accompanied by people officially licensed by the Greek Ministry of Shipping and diving centers.
The Greek state is in charge of guarding and protecting these areas. The creation of visitable underwater archeological sites is a bold undertaking and a challenge with special requirements and conditions dictated by the necessities:
- public safety,
- the preservation of the natural environment,
- and the protection of cultural heritage.
Each marine area must first be documented and delimited, in order to exclude as much as possible the possibility of an accident, the possibility of causing damage to the monument or the possibility of developing illegal antiquarian activities.
Diving tourism is a potential source of power for a country’s tourism industry and the island of Kea is one of the top diving destinations in the world, combining in a special way the interest in historical research and the rich underwater life that one encounters in the depths of this island.
