Wrecks and Obstructions

Ship wrecks and obstructions in the ocean have long been a hazard to navigation and construction, and a point of interest to archeologist, recreational divers, fisherman, educators and explorers. Locating hazardous wrecks and obstructions is part of the ongoing NOAA charting process. The exact position of many wrecks is difficult to determine because of changes in the environment, varied survey methods, and human error. Some wrecks are intentionally placed in the ocean to serve as artificial reefs or for disposal. Others pose a health and environmental threat from their cargo. Ownership and control over wrecks and obstructions is governed by a collection of state and federal regulations, the Abandoned Shipwreck Act, National Historic Preservation Act, and the National Marine Sanctuaries Act.

These data are a synthesis of two sources - the NOAA Office of Coast Survey's 2016 Automated Wreck and Obstruction Information System (AWOIS), and the NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC). Not included were those records that were clearly identified as natural features such as rocks, shoals, and trees. Features are recorded as either a wreck, wreck area, obstruction, or unknown.

To support ocean planning activities pursuant to the Executive Order Regarding the Ocean Policy to Advance the Economic, Security, and Environmental Interests of the United States, the Energy Policy Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Rivers and Harbors Act, and the Coastal Zone Management Act.

Bureau Code: 006:48, Program Code: 006:055

objectCategory, objectName, positionQuality, yearSunk, sourceRecord, sourceDate, dataSourceName, comment

sourceRecord key for ENC sources:

1) ENCHWPT = 1:5,000 to 1:50,000 wreck point

2) ENCHOPT = 1:5,000 to 1:50,000 obstruction point

3) ENCHWA = 1:5,000 to 1:50,000 wreck area

4) ENCAWPT = 1:50,000 to 1:150,000 wreck point

5) ENCAOPT = 1:50,000 to 1:150,000 obstruction point

6) ENCAWA = 1:50,000 to 1:150,000 wreck area

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For coastal and ocean planning

Microsoft Windows, ArcGIS Pro, Azure SQL

Untested

Multiple records at slightly different locations may exist in a small number of cases for a single wreck or obstruction. This can occur when 2 or more sources are used, and the sources do not include sufficient detail to identify the feature. This can also occur when a single wreck or obstruction is mapped at multiple time frames using different survey methods and technology.

Compiled to meet 30 meters horizontal accuracy at 95% confidence level

Untested

These data are logically consistent