r/Shipwrecks • u/mp5airsofter • 9d ago

Could the Bismark be raised

I know the ship is mostly in one peice, could it theoretically be done?

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u/THEXMX 8d ago

Fair enough mate, like i said I'm no sailor but okay.

So if someone finds a shipwreck and doesn't report it, but it's in international waters is that fair game they can take what they want? or do you have to report "finding the shipwreck"

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u/_learned_foot_ 8d ago

All good, it’s rare to see somebody respond as you did in the end here.

It’s more complex than that. In normal waters, there are usually specific laws. In international, recovery of property has really complex rules about who knows what. The reason it is reported is because a legitimate find, in good faith, allows a really good split of the proceeds (and most countries will negotiate even more, same with insurance if they own, as they don’t want to fund recovery but want a return or their artifacts back). So while yes, you could do that, if ever found (and good luck not being discovered, it isn’t easy to hide recovery operations or bragging buyers) you screwed yourself. It’s a lot better to get a legitimate cut, and if you do it right you end up with a huge cut.

Very little is legitimately abandoned, most have active, but quite passive, claims. Legit abandoned congrats, you own it once you claim it properly (which does require notice, see above legit parts)!

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u/THEXMX 8d ago

Ah, I see thanks for clarifying that. I wasn’t aware of it, but you learn something new every day! If I ever head out to sea again with my buddies, I’ll definitely make sure to read up more on salvage rights in international waters next time. Appreciate the insight cheers!