Protected places and Controlled sites ("war graves") designated under The Protection of Military Remains Act 1986
What is it:
The Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 deals with wrecks of both aircraft and ships, and all military aircraft are automatically protected under this legislation.
This Act is administered by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) - RAF for aircraft, Navy for vessels. Under this Act, vessels may be designated either as a protected place or as a controlled site.
Commonly called "war graves", they are more correctly referred to as "military maritime graves".
Links to Scotland's Marine Atlas:
This information page is part of the theme:
![](https://marine.gov.scot/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/hms_royal_oak_-_c_adus_deepocean_ltd_and_salvage_marine_operations_uk_mod_ro_shot1_cr.jpg?itok=GijULUyx)
HMS Royal Oak (Controlled Site under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986) in Scapa Flow, Orkney - © ADUS DeepOcean Ltd and Salvage and Marine Operations (UK MOD)