War graves in Orkney’s Scapa Flow will have wider safety cordons before the spring diving season. A new Ministry of Defence order extends the controlled site boundaries around HMS Royal Oak and HMS Vanguard to 350 metres and updates the co‑ordinates for HMS Natal in the Cromarty Firth. Signed by Minister of State Coaker on 9 March 2026, it takes legal effect on 30 March 2026. ([]())

The designation sits under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 and consolidates previous listings. Crucially, it revokes the 2019 order while carrying forward all earlier protections and definitions, so there’s no gap in cover for existing sites. ([]())

Three new controlled sites are created: HMS Cobra, and two Canadian Second World War corvettes-HMCS Regina and HMCS Trentonian-whose crews were lost in UK waters. Regina was torpedoed north of Trevose Head in 1944; Trentonian was sunk near Falmouth in 1945. The change brings additional legal protection to places that local divers already treat with respect. ([]())

Beyond Orkney and the Highlands, Article 2 also expands the list of named vessels protected under the Act. New additions include HMS Albacore, RFA Cairndale, HMS Coquette, RFA Dinsdale, Emile Deschamps, RFA Gray Ranger, HMS Hawke, RFA Hungerford, RFA Industry, HMS Jason, HMS Kale, RFA Montenol, ML‑247, HMS Nottingham, HMS Recruit, RFA Salviking, RFA Slavol, USCG Tampa, TB‑10 and TB‑11. ([]())

For Northern readers who head north each spring, the practical takeaway is simple. A ‘controlled site’ is a hard no for intrusive activity: diving, excavation, salvage or any operation that might disturb the remains is prohibited unless licensed by the MoD. ‘Protected places’ can be visited, but removing or disturbing anything is an offence. In short: look, don’t touch. (legislation.gov.uk)

The order specifies World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84) for all points. Skippers should check plotters and paper charts match WGS84 settings and give Scapa Flow’s wrecks the full 350‑metre berth from 30 March. Anchoring on, or dragging gear across, a protected wreck risks breaking the law if it disturbs the site. ([]())

This is also about remembrance outside London. Royal Oak, Vanguard and Natal are part of the islands’ and Highlands’ living memory, marked locally each year. The wider buffers formalise what most Orkney boats and visiting clubs already do as a matter of respect, while giving fisheries and charter skippers clearer, chartable margins around the graves.

The decision to include USCGC Tampa underlines how many of these stories are shared across the Atlantic. Tampa was torpedoed in the Bristol Channel in 1918 with the loss of all aboard-the single largest combat loss in US Coast Guard history-so recognition in UK law will be noted by American families too. (history.uscg.mil)

Officials say no significant impact assessment was needed, reflecting that these are largely clarifications and extensions rather than wholesale changes. For dive centres, club officers and skippers from the North planning Scapa Flow or Cromarty trips, the message is steady and straightforward: update waypoints, brief crews, and keep the distance-and the dignity. ([]())