Midget Sub Not to be Salvaged
According to this post on Shipwreck Central, the Japanese midget sub M24 recently discovered off Sydney is to be left in place and has been declared a historic site.
There had been speculation that the sub may have been raised and either setup as a war memorial or perhaps even sent back to Japan. However cost and difficulties have all but ruled that option out.
As previously reported on the BlueBeyond Dive News & Blog, a high-tech alarm buoy system has been deployed to protect the sub from divers and from anchor damage.
Whilst I am in favour of the site being declared a historic wreck, and thus protected from salvaging, recreational diving should be allowed on the wreck. Of course strict fines should be applied to anyone who takes anything off the wreck, or otherwise damages it.
I hold out hope that when the research phase is done, the Government will allow recreational diving activities on the wreck.