When is a Dive Licence required?
A Dive Licence is mandatory when carrying out dives, surveys or other archaeological activities at wrecks, underwater archaeological objects or any protected underwater cultural heritage site (unless the works are carried out under Ministerial Direction or Ministerial Consent).
A Dive Licence is required for recreational dives at protected locations, as well as for underwater archaeological surveys and investigations.
Note: For certain types of archaeological investigation, it may be necessary to obtain other supporting consents or licences in parallel with the Dive Licence. For example, a Detection Device Consent is required to use a metal detector to search for artefacts as part of an investigation; an Excavation Licence is required to carry out an excavation at an underwater site.
How do I Apply for a Dive Licence?
Please complete the Dive Licence Application Form. Completed forms can be emailed to us at: licensingsection@housing.gov.ie
If you are applying for a licence for a recreational dive, you must also include a cover letter with your application. The cover letter should contain the following information:
- Name and details of primary licence applicant (individual’s name)
- Location of the proposed dive, including co-ordinates
- Detailed map/chart with dive location and wreck name clearly marked
- Purpose or aims of the dive
- List of personnel covered by the licence
- Timeframe and frequency of the proposed dive
If you are applying for a Dive Licence to carry out archaeological surveys or activities as part of a commercial or research project, then you must include a Method Statement with your application.
The Method Statement should include (as a minimum) the following information:
- Summary of the proposed works, including purpose and details of duration
- Site description, including topography and present condition as well as any relevant past usages/events
- Relevant background information including (but not limited to):
- local archaeological and historical context for the site
- planning background and development description (if applicable)
- research aims and objectives
- Project strategy, including (but not limited to):
- size and extent of survey area
- survey and recording methods
- constraints on archaeological methods
- health and safety requirements and/or restrictions
- Description of dive and its schedule (where relevant)
- Project team and structure, including number of divers/archaeologists/supervisors; backup measures, logistical support
- Reporting strategy, including delivery dates
- Mapping and illustrations, including (but not limited to):
- site location map: Admiralty Chart or OSi map (1:5000) for rural areas and (1:1000) for urban area (or appropriate equivalent)
- relevant historical mapping
- site plan (scaled) showing clearly the location, extent and layout of the proposed excavation
- plan of proposed development (if applicable)
Applications should be submitted at least 3 WEEKS before dive will commence, to allow us time to assess and process the application.
A standard set of dive conditions is contained in the dive licence application form, for information purposes only. A licence, if granted, may include these conditions or any other conditions or restrictions that are deemed appropriate. The licence holder has the legal responsibility for ensuring that all conditions of the licence are adhered to correctly. It should be noted that the licence holder is expected to be present when dives are taking place.
In the normal course of events, a licence will only be issued for a single wreck or geographical area. A supporting case must be made in relation to applications that seek to cover multiple locations, and this must be set out in the accompanying method statement.
Where can I see the relevant legislation?
- National Monuments Acts 1930–2014