{"id":"historic-shipwrecks-act-1981","name":"Historic Shipwrecks Act 1981","slug":"historic-shipwrecks-act-1981","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"sa","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":90428,"registerId":"sa-historic-shipwrecks-act-1981-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Historic Shipwrecks Act 1981","content":"South Australia\nHistoric Shipwrecks Act 1981\nAn Act relating to the protection of certain shipwrecks and relics of historic significance.\n\nContents\nPart 1—Preliminary\n1\tShort title\n3\tInterpretation\n4\tAct to bind Crown\nPart 2—Protection of historic shipwrecks and relics\n4A\tCertain shipwrecks and shipwreck relics are historic\n5\tDeclaration that shipwrecks and relics are historic\n6\tProvisional declaration that shipwrecks and relics are historic\n7\tDeclaration of protected zones\n8\tFurther publication of notices\n9\tNotice of location of historic shipwrecks and relics\n10\tPower of Minister to ascertain location of historic shipwrecks and relics\n11\tPower of Minister to give directions in relation to custody of historic shipwrecks and relics\n12\tRegister of Historic Shipwrecks\n13\tProhibition of certain action in relation to historic shipwrecks and relics\n15\tPermits for exploration or recovery of shipwrecks and relics\n15A\tPermits not transferable\n16\tDefences\n17\tDiscovery of shipwrecks and relics to be notified\n18\tRewards\nPart 3—Miscellaneous\n19\tArrangements for Commonwealth authorities to perform functions in relation to historic shipwrecks and relics\n20\tPower of Minister to vest property in historic shipwrecks and relics in the Crown\n21\tAppointment of inspectors\n22\tPowers of inspectors\n23\tArrest without warrant\n24\tSeizure and forfeiture\n26\tCertificate by Minister to be evidence\n27\tDelegation\n28\tNotices\n29\tRegulations\nLegislative history\n\nThe Parliament of South Australia enacts as follows:\nPart 1—Preliminary\n1—Short title\nThis Act may be cited as the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1981.\n3—Interpretation\n\t(1)\tIn this Act, unless the contrary intention appears—\nAdelaide Dolphin Sanctuary has the same meaning as in the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Act 2005;\nthe Commonwealth Act means the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976 of the Commonwealth;\nhistoric relic—see section 4A(2);\nhistoric shipwreck—see section 4A(1);\ninspector means a person appointed as an inspector under section 21 or a police officer;\nmarine park has the same meaning as in the Marine Parks Act 2007;\nprotected zone means a protected zone constituted under section 7;\nRegister means the Register of Historic Shipwrecks kept under section 12;\nRiver Murray has the same meaning as in the River Murray Act 2003;\nRiver Murray Protection Area means a River Murray Protection Area under the River Murray Act 2003;\nship includes any vessel used in navigation by water;\nterritorial waters of the State means—\n\t(a)\twaters within the limits of the State; or\n\t(b)\twaters adjacent to the State being waters to which the Commonwealth Act does not apply;\nTribunal means the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal established under the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013;\nvessel has the same meaning as in the Harbors and Navigation Act 1993.\n\t(2)\tA reference in this Act to the remains of a ship, or to an article or articles being situated in, or having been removed from, any waters includes a reference to the remains of a ship or to an article or articles—\n\t(a)\tbeing situated in or forming part of, or having been removed from, as the case may be, the surface or subsoil of land submerged by those waters; or\n\t(b)\tbeing situated on or forming part of, or having been removed from, as the case may be, a reef in those waters.\n\t(3)\tA thing will not be taken not to be an article for the purposes of this Act by reason that it is attached to the remains of a ship, to a reef or, to the subsoil of submerged land.\n\t(4)\tA reference in this Act to an article associated with a ship will be construed as a reference to an article that appears to have formed part of, to have been installed or carried on, or to have been constructed or used by a person associated with, a ship.\n4—Act to bind Crown\nThis Act binds the Crown.\nPart 2—Protection of historic shipwrecks and relics\n4A—Certain shipwrecks and shipwreck relics are historic\n\t(1)\tSubject to this section, the remains of a ship are a historic shipwreck for the purposes of this Act if—\n\t(a)\tin the case of remains situated in territorial waters of the State—\n\t(i)\tthe remains have been situated in such waters for 75 years or more; or\n\t(ii)\ta declaration under section 5 or 6 is in force in relation to the remains; or\n\t(b)\tin the case of remains that have been removed from territorial waters of the State (whether before or after the commencement of this Act)—\n\t(i)\tthe 75th anniversary of the date on which the remains first came to rest on the seabed of such waters has passed; or\n\t(ii)\ta declaration under section 5 or 6 is in force in relation to the remains.\n\t(2)\tSubject to this section, an article associated with a ship is a historic relic for the purposes of this Act if—\n\t(a)\tin the case of an article situated in territorial waters of the State—\n\t(i)\tthe article has been situated in such waters for 75 years or more; or\n\t(ii)\ta declaration under section 5 or 6 is in force in relation to the article; or\n\t(b)\tin the case of an article that has been removed from territorial waters of this State (whether before or after the commencement of this Act)—\n\t(i)\tthe 75th anniversary of the date on which the article first came to rest on the seabed of such waters has passed; or\n\t(ii)\ta declaration under section 5 or 6 is in force in relation to the article.\n\t(3)\tThe Governor may, by proclamation—\n\t(a)\tdeclare that subsection (1)(a)(i) or (1)(b)(i) does not apply to the remains, or part of the remains, of a ship or class of ships; or\n\t(b)\tdeclare that subsection (2)(a)(i) or (2)(b)(i) does not apply to an article or class of articles.\n5—Declaration that shipwrecks and relics are historic\n\t(1)\tIf the Minister is of the opinion that—\n\t(a)\tthe remains of a ship situated in territorial waters of the State; or\n\t(b)\tany part of the remains of a ship removed from territorial waters of the State,\nare of historic significance, the Minister may, by notice in the Gazette, declare the remains to be a historic shipwreck.\n\t(2)\tIf the Minister is of the opinion that an article, particular articles or all articles associated with a ship and situated in, or removed from, territorial waters of the State are of historic significance, the Minister may, by notice in the Gazette, declare the article or articles to be a historic relic or historic relics.\n\t(3)\tSubject to this Act, a declaration under this Act continues to apply to remains or an article despite the removal of the remains or article from the territorial waters of the State after the making of the declaration.\n\t(4)\tThis section does not apply to or in relation to—\n\t(a)\tthe remains of a ship that are a historic shipwreck by virtue of section 4A(1)(a)(i) or 4A(1)(b)(i); or\n\t(b)\tan article that is a historic relic by virtue of section 4A(2)(a)(i) or 4A(2)(b)(i).\n6—Provisional declaration that shipwrecks and relics are historic\n\t(1)\tIf it appears to the Minister that an article or articles appearing to be the remains of a ship situated in, or removed from, territorial waters of the State may be of historic significance, the Minister may, by notice in the Gazette, provisionally declare the article or articles to be a historic shipwreck.\n\t(2)\tIf it appears to the Minister that an article, or particular articles, situated in or removed from territorial waters of the State—\n\t(a)\tmay have been associated with a ship; and\n\t(b)\tmay be of historic significance,\nthe Minister may, by notice in the Gazette, provisionally declare the article or articles to be a historic relic or historic relics.\n\t(3)\tSubject to this Act, a declaration under this Act continues to apply to remains or an article despite the removal of the remains or article from the territorial waters of the State after the making of the declaration.\n\t(5)\tA notice under this section remains in force, unless sooner revoked, until the expiration of twelve months from the date of publication of the notice in the Gazette, but the revocation or expiration of a notice under this section does not prevent the publication in the Gazette of a further notice under this section in relation to an article or articles to which the revoked or expired notice applied.\n\t(6)\tThis section does not apply to or in relation to—\n\t(a)\tthe remains of a ship that are a historic shipwreck by virtue of section 4A(1)(a)(i) or 4A(1)(b)(i); or\n\t(b)\tan article that is a historic relic by virtue of section 4A(2)(a)(i) or 4A(2)(b)(i).\n7—Declaration of protected zones\n\t(1)\tThe Minister may, by notice in the Gazette, declare an area (not exceeding 100 hectares) consisting of water or partly of water and partly of land within which a historic shipwreck or historic relic is, situated to be a protected zone.\n\t(2)\tIf a notice declaring an area to be a protected zone is in force under subsection (1), the protected zone will be taken to include the airspace above that area and, to the extent to which that area consists of the surface of water, to include the waters beneath that area and the surface and subsoil of the land submerged by those waters.\n\t(3)\tSubject to subsection (4), a notice under this section ceases to have force if the protected zone declared by the notice relates to the remains of a ship, or an article associated with a ship, that is the subject of a notice under section 5 or 6 that has been revoked or has otherwise ceased to be in force.\n\t(4)\tA notice under this section remains in force despite subsection (3) if—\n\t(a)\tthe notice relates to an area within which the remains of a ship are situated and the remains are a historic shipwreck by virtue of section 4A(1)(a)(i); or\n\t(b)\tthe notice relates to an area within which an article associated with a ship is situated and the article is a historic relic by virtue of section 4A(2)(a)(i).\n\t(5)\tNothing in subsection (3) prevents the publication in the Gazette of a further notice under this section in relation to the remains of a ship, or in relation to an article associated with a ship, if a further notice is published in the Gazette under section 5 or 6 in relation to the remains or in relation to the article.\n8—Further publication of notices\nIf a notice under section 5, 6 or 7 is published in the Gazette, the Minister may cause a copy of the notice to be published in newspapers, periodicals or other publications as the Minister thinks appropriate.\n9—Notice of location of historic shipwrecks and relics\n\t(1)\tIf—\n\t(a)\ta person has possession, custody or control of an article; and\n\t(b)\ta notice applying in respect of the article is published in the Gazette under section 5 or 6,\nthe person must, within thirty days after the date of publication of the notice in the Gazette, give the prescribed notice to the Minister in relation to the article.\nMaximum penalty: $10 000.\n\t(2)\tIf an article in respect of which a notice published in the Gazette under section 5 or 6 applies comes into the possession, custody or control of a person, the person must, within thirty days after the day on which the article comes into the person's possession, custody or control, give the prescribed notice to the Minister in relation to the article.\nMaximum penalty: $10 000.\n\t(3)\tIt is a defence to a charge of an offence against subsection (1) or (2) in relation to an article in respect of which a notice was published in the Gazette under section 5 or 6 if the person proves that the person did not know, and had no reasonable grounds for believing, that the article was an article to which the notice related.\n\t(4)\tFor the purposes of this section, the prescribed notice in relation to an article means a notice in writing describing the article and stating where the article is situated.\n10—Power of Minister to ascertain location of historic shipwrecks and relics\n\t(1)\tIf it appears to the Minister that—\n\t(a)\ta person may have, or may have had, possession, custody or control of an article; and\n\t(b)\tthe article is or may be, or is or may be a part of, a historic shipwreck or is or may be a historic relic,\nthe Minister may, by notice in writing to the person, require the person, within the time specified in the notice—\n\t(c)\tto inform the Minister whether the person has, or has had, possession, custody or control of the article; and\n\t(d)\tif the person has ceased to have possession, custody or control of the article, to give the Minister particulars of the circumstances in which the person ceased to have possession, custody or control of the article; and\n\t(e)\tif the person has transferred possession, custody or control of the article to another person, to give the Minister the name and address of the person to whom possession, custody or control of the article was transferred.\n\t(2)\tA person to whom a notice is given by the Minister under subsection (1) must not—\n\t(a)\trefuse or fail to comply with the notice to the extent that the person is capable of complying with it; or\n\t(b)\tin purported compliance with the notice, knowingly furnish information that is false or misleading.\nMaximum penalty: $10 000.\n\t(3)\tA person is not excused from furnishing information under this section on the ground that the information may tend to incriminate the person but the information furnished is not admissible in evidence against the person except in proceedings for an offence against this section.\n11—Power of Minister to give directions in relation to custody of historic shipwrecks and relics\n\t(1)\tIf a person has possession, custody or control of an article, being, or being a part of, a historic shipwreck or being a historic relic, the Minister may, for the purpose of—\n\t(a)\tthe preservation of the article; or\n\t(b)\tthe exhibition of, or the provision of access to, the article,\nby notice in writing, require the person to take specified action in relation to the article.\n\t(2)\tThe action that a person may be required to take in relation to an article by a notice under subsection (1) includes but is not limited to—\n\t(a)\tkeeping the article in a particular manner or place; and\n\t(b)\tremoving the article to a particular place within a particular time; and\n\t(c)\tdoing a particular act in relation to the article within a particular time, being an act designed to assist in the preservation of the article; and\n\t(d)\tdelivering the article into the custody of a particular person within a particular time.\n\t(3)\tIf the Minister gives a notice to a person under subsection (1) requiring the person to take action in relation to an article other than action referred to in subsection (2)(d), the notice must include a statement that the person may, in lieu of taking that action, deliver the article within a specified time into the custody of a person specified in the notice.\n\t(4)\tA person to whom a notice is given by the Minister under subsection (1) must comply with the notice.\nMaximum penalty: $10 000 or imprisonment for 2 years, or both.\n\t(5)\tA civil action does not lie against a person in respect of action taken in accordance with a notice given to the person by the Minister under subsection (1).\n\t(6)\tIf the Minister decides to give a person a notice under subsection (1), the person may, within 1 month after receiving the notice (or such longer period as the Tribunal may allow), seek a review of the decision by the Tribunal under section 34 of the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013.\n\t(8)\tA person to whom a notice is given under subsection (1) may recover, as a debt due to the person from the Crown, reasonable costs incurred by the person in carrying out the requirements of the notice.\n12—Register of Historic Shipwrecks\n\t(1)\tThe Minister must cause to be kept a register to be known as the Register of Historic Shipwrecks.\n\t(2)\tThe Minister must cause to be entered in the Register—\n\t(a)\tparticulars of all known remains and articles that are historic shipwrecks or historic relics by virtue of section 4A(1)(a)(i), (1)(b)(i), (2)(a)(i) or (2)(b)(i); and\n\t(b)\tparticulars of all remains and articles in relation to which declarations of historic shipwrecks or historic relics under section 5 or 6 are in force; and\n\t(c)\tparticulars of areas in relation to which declarations of protected zones under section 7 are in force.\n\t(3)\tA person may inspect the Register and, on payment of the prescribed fee, is entitled to be furnished with a copy of the Register or a part of the Register.\n13—Prohibition of certain action in relation to historic shipwrecks and relics\n\t(1)\tExcept in accordance with a permit, a person must not—\n\t(a)\tdamage or destroy a historic shipwreck or a historic relic; or\n\t(b)\tinterfere with a historic shipwreck or a historic relic; or\n\t(c)\tdispose of a historic shipwreck or a historic relic; or\n\t(d)\tremove a historic shipwreck or a historic relic from the territorial waters of the State.\nMaximum penalty: $20 000 or imprisonment for 4 years, or both.\n\t(2)\tA reference in subsection (1) to the removal of a historic shipwreck or a historic relic from the territorial waters of the State includes a reference to the removal of a historic shipwreck or a historic relic from the surface or subsoil of land submerged by those waters or from a reef in those waters.\n\t(4)\tIn this section—\nhistoric shipwreck includes a part of a historic shipwreck.\n15—Permits for exploration or recovery of shipwrecks and relics\n\t(1)\tThe Minister may, in the Minister's discretion, on application by a person, grant a permit to that person authorising that person and other persons named or described in the permit to do an act or thing specified in the permit the doing of which would otherwise be prohibited by section 13 or the regulations.\n\t(2)\tThe Minister may, when granting a permit or at any time while a permit is in force, impose conditions in respect of the permit and may at any time revoke or vary any conditions so imposed.\n\t(3)\tThe conditions that may be imposed under subsection (2) in respect of a permit authorising the doing of an act or thing include but are not limited to—\n\t(a)\ta condition requiring the act or thing to be done in a specified manner; and\n\t(b)\ta condition requiring the act or thing to be done only in accordance with the directions of a person named or described in the permit as a person empowered to give such directions; and\n\t(c)\ta condition requiring articles obtained by the doing of an act that is authorised by the permit to be done to be held in custody, or dealt with, as specified in the permit or in directions given by a person named or described in the permit as a person empowered to give such directions.\n\t(3a)\tIf an application for a permit relates to a historic shipwreck or historic relic located within—\n\t(a)\tthe Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary—\n\t(i)\tthe Minister must, in considering the application, seek to further the objects and objectives of the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Act 2005 and take into account the provisions of the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Management Plan under that Act; and\n\t(ii)\tif so required under the regulations—the Minister must, before making the Minister's decision on the application, consult with and have regard to the views of the Minister to whom the administration of the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Act 2005 is committed; or\n\t(b)\ta marine park—\n\t(i)\tthe Minister must, in considering the application, seek to further the objects of the Marine Parks Act 2007 and take into account the provisions of the management plan for the marine park under that Act; and\n\t(ii)\tif so required under the regulations—the Minister must, before making the Minister's decision on the application, consult with and have regard to the views of the Minister to whom the administration of the Marine Parks Act 2007 is committed; or\n\t(c)\tthe River Murray—\n\t(i)\tthe Minister must, in considering the application, seek to further the objects of the River Murray Act 2003 and the Objectives for a Healthy River Murray under that Act and take into account the provisions of the River Murray Act Implementation Strategy under that Act; and\n\t(ii)\tif so required under the regulations—the Minister must, before making a decision on the application, consult with and have regard to the views of the Minister to whom the administration of the River Murray Act 2003 is committed and comply with the Minister's directions (if any) in relation to the application.\n\t(4)\tA condition imposed in respect of a permit (other than a condition contained in a permit) or a revocation or variation of a condition so imposed takes effect when notice of the condition or of the revocation or variation is served on the person to whom the permit was granted.\n\t(5)\tA person must not contravene a condition imposed in respect of a permit that has been granted to the person or is otherwise applicable to the person.\nMaximum penalty: $10 000 or imprisonment for 2 years, or both.\n\t(6)\tThe Minister may, at any time, by notice in writing to the person to whom a permit has been granted—\n\t(a)\trevoke the permit; or\n\t(b)\tsuspend the permit; or\n\t(c)\tcancel the suspension of the permit.\n\t(7)\tA suspension of a permit may be of indefinite duration or for a specified period.\n15A—Permits not transferable\nA permit granted under this Act is not transferable.\n16—Defences\nIt is a defence to a charge of an offence against section 13 or 15(5), or an offence against the regulations, if the act that constituted the offence was done for the purpose of—\n\t(a)\tsaving human life; or\n\t(b)\tsecuring the safety of a ship (including a hovercraft or any similar craft) where the ship was endangered by stress of weather or by navigational hazards; or\n\t(c)\tdealing with an emergency involving a serious threat to the environment,\nor was done with any other reasonable excuse.\n17—Discovery of shipwrecks and relics to be notified\n\t(1)\tA person who finds, in a fixed position in territorial waters of the State, the remains of a ship or of a part of a ship, or an article associated with a ship, must, as soon as practicable, give to the Minister a notice setting out a description of the remains or of the article and a description of the place where the remains are, or the article is, situated, being a description of that place that is sufficient to enable the remains or article to be located.\nMaximum penalty: $10 000.\n\t(2)\tIt is a defence to a charge of an offence against subsection (1) if the person proves, or proves that the person had reasonable grounds for believing, that a notice setting out a description of the place where the remains are or the article is situated, being a description that is sufficient to enable the remains or article to be located, was given to the Minister by another person before it was practicable for the firstmentioned person to give such a notice.\n\t(3)\tA person must not in a notice purporting to be given to the Minister under subsection (1) make a statement that to the person's knowledge is false or misleading in a material particular.\nMaximum penalty: $10 000.\n18—Rewards\n\t(1)\tThe Minister may—\n\t(a)\tpay a reward not exceeding the prescribed amount to the person who first notifies the Minister in accordance with section 17 of the location of any remains or article—\n\t(i)\ta description of the location of which, being a description sufficient to enable the remains or article to be located, had not previously been published in Australia; and\n\t(ii)\tin respect of which a declaration has, since the notification was made, been made under section 5; and\n\t(b)\toffer and pay a reward not exceeding the prescribed amount to the person who first furnishes to the Minister a description of the location of a historic shipwreck, or of a historic relic or historic relics, specified in the offer, being a description sufficient to enable the historic shipwreck or historic relic or historic relics to be located; and\n\t(c)\tpay a reward not exceeding the prescribed amount to any person who furnishes information leading to the conviction of a person for an offence against this Act.\n\t(2)\tPayments under subsection (1) must be made out of money appropriated by the Parliament for the purpose.\nPart 3—Miscellaneous\n19—Arrangements for Commonwealth authorities to perform functions in relation to historic shipwrecks and relics\nThe Governor may make arrangements with the Governor-General of the Commonwealth for the performance of functions by a competent authority of the Commonwealth in relation to the protection, recovery, preservation and exhibition of historic shipwrecks and historic relics.\n20—Power of Minister to vest property in historic shipwrecks and relics in the Crown\n\t(1)\tIf the Minister is of the opinion that it is necessary to do so in order to protect the public interest, the Minister may, by notice in the Gazette, declare any historic shipwreck or historic relic to be vested in the Crown.\n\t(2)\tOn the publication of a notice under subsection (1), the ownership of the historic shipwreck or historic relic vests in the Crown free of any other interest.\n\t(3)\tNo notice may be published under subsection (1) in respect of a historic shipwreck or historic relic lawfully in the possession of a person at the commencement of this Act.\n\t(4)\tA person who would, but for the publication of a notice under this section, have been entitled to a historic shipwreck or historic relic, or to any interest in a historic shipwreck or historic relic, may, within six months of the publication of the notice, claim compensation for the loss by action against the Crown in the Supreme Court.\n\t(5)\tOn a claim under subsection (4), the Supreme Court may award such compensation against the Crown as it considers just.\n21—Appointment of inspectors\n\t(1)\tThe Minister may appoint a person to be an inspector for the purposes of this Act.\n\t(2)\tThe Minister must cause to be issued to each inspector appointed under subsection (1) an identity card containing a photograph of the inspector.\n\t(3)\tA person who ceases to be an inspector appointed under subsection (1) must immediately return the person's identity card to the Minister.\nMaximum penalty: $500.\n22—Powers of inspectors\n\t(1)\tAn inspector may, as reasonably required for the administration or enforcement of this Act, exercise any of the following powers:\n\t(a)\tat any reasonable time, enter, search and inspect any premises and, if necessary, use reasonable force to break into or open any part of, or anything in or on, the premises;\n\t(b)\tenter and inspect any vehicle, and for that purpose require a vehicle to stop, or to be presented for inspection at a place and time specified by the inspector;\n\t(c)\tboard and inspect any vessel and, if necessary—\n\t(i)\trequire a person apparently in charge of the vessel to facilitate the boarding; and\n\t(ii)\tuse reasonable force to break into or open, or require a person to open, any part of, or anything in or on, the vessel;\n\t(d)\tgive directions with respect to the stopping, securing or movement of a vehicle, vessel, equipment or other thing;\n\t(e)\trequire a person who the inspector reasonably suspects is committing, is intending to commit, or has committed, an offence against this Act to state the person's full name and usual place of residence and to produce evidence of the person's identity;\n\t(f)\trequire a person who the inspector reasonably suspects has knowledge of matters in respect of which information is required for the administration or enforcement of this Act to answer questions about those matters;\n\t(g)\trequire a person to produce documents, including a written record that reproduces in an understandable form, information stored by computer or other process;\n\t(h)\texamine, copy or take extracts from documents or records so produced or require a person to provide a copy of any such document or record;\n\t(i)\trequire a person holding a permit or other authority or required to hold a permit or other authority to produce the permit or other authority for inspection;\n\t(j)\ttake photographs, films or video or audio recordings;\n\t(k)\tgive directions required in connection with the exercise of a power conferred by any of the paragraphs above or otherwise in connection with the administration or enforcement of this Act.\n\t(2)\tAn inspector may only exercise the power conferred by subsection (1)(a) in respect of residential premises on the authority of a warrant issued by a magistrate or justice.\n\t(3)\tA warrant may not be issued unless the magistrate or justice (as the case may be) is satisfied that the warrant is reasonably required in the circumstances.\n\t(4)\tAn application for the issue of a warrant—\n\t(a)\tmay be made either personally or by telephone; and\n\t(b)\tmust be made in accordance with any procedures prescribed by the regulations.\n\t(5)\tAn inspector may in exercising powers under this section be accompanied by such assistants as are reasonably required in the circumstances.\n\t(6)\tAn inspector may require an occupier of premises, or a person apparently in charge of any vehicle, vessel, equipment or other thing, to give the inspector or a person assisting the inspector such assistance as is reasonably required by the inspector for the effective exercise of the inspector's powers under this section.\n\t(7)\tA person must not—\n\t(a)\twithout reasonable excuse, hinder or obstruct an inspector or other person engaged in the administration or enforcement of this Act; or\n\t(b)\twithout reasonable excuse, fail to comply with a requirement or direction of an inspector under this Act; or\n\t(c)\tfail to answer a question put by an inspector to the best of the person's knowledge, information or belief; or\n\t(d)\tproduce a document or record that the person knows is false or misleading in a material particular; or\n\t(e)\tuse abusive, threatening or insulting language to an inspector, or a person assisting an inspector; or\n\t(f)\tfalsely represent, by words or conduct, that the person is an inspector.\nMaximum penalty: $10 000.\n\t(8)\tIt is a reasonable excuse for a person to refuse or fail to answer a question or to produce, or provide a copy of, a document or information as required under this section on the ground that to do so might tend to incriminate the person or make the person liable to a penalty. \n23—Arrest without warrant\n\t(1)\tAn inspector may, without warrant, arrest a person if the inspector reasonably believes—\n\t(a)\tthat the person has committed an offence against section 13 or the regulations; and\n\t(b)\tthat proceedings against the person by summons would not be effective.\n\t(2)\tIf an inspector (other than a police officer who is in uniform) arrests a person under subsection (1), the inspector must—\n\t(a)\tin the case of an inspector who is a police officer—produce, for inspection by the person arrested, written evidence of the fact that the inspector is a police officer; or\n\t(b)\tin any other case—produce the inspector's identity card for inspection by the person arrested.\n\t(3)\tIf a person is arrested under subsection (1), an inspector must immediately bring the person, or cause the person to be brought, before a Justice of the Peace or other proper authority to be dealt with in accordance with law.\n\t(4)\tNothing in this section prevents the arrest of a person in accordance with any other law.\n24—Seizure and forfeiture\n\t(1)\tIf an inspector has reason to suspect that any vehicle, vessel, equipment or other thing has been used in, is otherwise involved in, or affords evidence of, the commission of an offence against this Act, the inspector may seize and retain the vehicle, vessel, equipment or other thing—\n\t(a)\tuntil the expiry of a period of 60 days after the seizure; or\n\t(b)\tif a prosecution for an offence against this Act is commenced and the vehicle, vessel, equipment or other thing may have been used in, been otherwise involved in, or afford evidence of, the commission of the alleged offence—until the prosecution is terminated.\n\t(2)\tThe Minister may authorise any vehicle, vessel, equipment or other thing seized under subsection (1) to be released to its owner, or to the person from whose possession it was seized, either unconditionally or on such conditions as the Minister thinks fit, including conditions as to the giving of security for payment of its value if it is forfeited.\n\t(3)\tIf a court convicts a person of an offence against this Act, the court may order the forfeiture to the Crown of any vehicle, vessel, equipment or other thing used or otherwise involved in the commission of the offence.\n\t(4)\tAny vehicle, vessel, equipment or other thing forfeited under this section may be sold or otherwise dealt with as the Minister thinks fit.\n\t(5)\tA reference in this section to a thing involved in the commission of an offence includes a reference to any historic shipwreck, or part of a historic shipwreck or any historic relic, to which the offence relates.\n26—Certificate by Minister to be evidence\n\t(1)\tIn any proceedings for an offence against this Act, a certificate by the Minister stating that a place specified in the certificate is a place—\n\t(a)\tin territorial waters of the State; or\n\t(b)\tin a specified protected zone,\nis proof, in the absence of proof to the contrary, of the matters stated in the certificate.\n\t(2)\tAn apparently genuine document purporting to be a certificate of the Minister under this section will, in the absence of proof that it is not such a certificate, be accepted as such in any proceedings for an offence against this Act.\n27—Delegation\n\t(1)\tThe Minister may delegate to any body or person (including a person for the time being holding or acting in a specified office or position)—\n\t(a)\tany of the Minister's duties, functions or powers under this Act; or\n\t(b)\tany duties, functions or powers that are, under any other Act or statutory instrument, assigned to the Minister for the time being administering this Act.\n\t(2)\tA delegation under this section—\n\t(a)\tmust be by instrument in writing; and\n\t(b)\tmay be absolute or conditional; and\n\t(c)\tdoes not derogate from the power of the Minister to act in a matter; and\n\t(d)\tis revocable at will.\n\t(3)\tA function or power delegated under this section may, if the instrument of delegation so provides, be further delegated.\n28—Notices\n\t(1)\tWithout prejudice to any other method of service permitted by law, a notice to a person by the Minister under this Act may be served on the person by being sent by post to the person at the address of the person last known by the Minister.\n\t(2)\tA notice to the Minister under this Act may be given as prescribed.\n\t(3)\tA notice by the Minister that has been published in the Gazette under this Act may be amended or revoked by the Minister by a further notice published in the Gazette.\n29—Regulations\n\t(1)\tThe Governor may make such regulations as are contemplated by, or are necessary or expedient for the purposes of, this Act.\n\t(2)\tWithout limiting the generality of subsection (1), the regulations may—\n\t(a)\tprohibit or restrict any of the following:\n\t(i)\tthe bringing into a protected zone of—\n\t(A)\tequipment constructed or adapted for the purpose of diving, salvage or recovery operations; or\n\t(B)\texplosives, instruments or tools,\nthe use of which would be likely to damage or interfere with a historic shipwreck or a historic relic situated within that protected zone;\n\t(ii)\tthe use within a protected zone of such equipment, explosives, instruments or tools;\n\t(iii)\tcausing a vessel carrying such equipment, explosives, instruments or tools to enter, or remain within, a protected zone;\n\t(iv)\ttrawling, diving or any other underwater activity within a protected zone;\n\t(v)\tthe mooring or use of a vessel within a protected zone; and\n\t(b)\tprohibit the doing of an act referred to in paragraph (a) except in accordance with a permit; and\n\t(c)\tprescribe fees for the issue of a permit under this Act; and\n\t(d)\tprescribe penalties, not exceeding $10 000, for offences against the regulations; and\n\t(e)\tfix expiation fees, not exceeding $750, for alleged offences against the regulations; and\n\t(f)\tempower inspectors to give expiation notices for alleged offences against the regulations.\n\t(3)\tThe regulations may—\n\t(a)\tbe of general or limited application; and\n\t(b)\tmake different provision according to the persons, things or circumstances to which they are expressed to apply; and\n\t(c)\tprovide that any matter or thing is to be determined, dispensed with, regulated or prohibited according to the discretion of the Minister; and\n\t(d)\tinclude evidentiary provisions to facilitate proof of breaches of the regulations for the purposes of proceedings for offences.\nLegislative history\nNotes\n\t•\tPlease note—References in the legislation to other legislation or instruments or to titles of bodies or offices are not automatically updated as part of the program for the revision and publication of legislation and therefore may be obsolete.\n\t•\tEarlier versions of this Act (historical versions) are listed at the end of the legislative history.\n\t•\tFor further information relating to the Act and subordinate legislation made under the Act see the Index of South Australian Statutes or www.legislation.sa.gov.au.\nPrincipal Act and amendments\nNew entries appear in bold.\nYear\nNo\nTitle\nAssent\nCommencement\n1981\n76\n Historic Shipwrecks Act 1981\n19.11.1981\n3.12.1981 (Gazette 3.12.1981 p2206)\n1983\n81\n Historic Shipwrecks Act Amendment Act 1983\n24.11.1983\n24.11.1983\n2000\n4\n District Court (Administrative and Disciplinary Division) Amendment Act 2000\n20.4.2000\nSch 1 (cl 18)—1.6.2000 (Gazette 18.5.2000 p2554)\n2003\n35\n River Murray Act 2003\n31.7.2003\nSch (cl 10)—24.11.2003 (Gazette 20.11.2003 p4203)\n2005\n5\n Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Act 2005\n14.4.2005\nSch 2 (cll 29 & 30)—1.7.2005 (Gazette 2.6.2005 p1684)\n2005\n20\n Statutes Amendment (Environment and Conservation Portfolio) Act 2005\n9.6.2005\nPt 2 (ss 4—8) & Sch 2—23.6.2005 (Gazette 23.6.2005 p1901)\n2007\n60\n Marine Parks Act 2007\n29.11.2007\nSch 1 (cll 28 & 29)—6.11.2008 (Gazette 6.11.2008 p5055)\n2011\n11\n Statutes Amendment (Personal Property Securities) Act 2011\n14.4.2011\nPt 12 (s 40)—16.6.2011 (Gazette 16.6.2011 p2610)\n2017\n1\n Historic Shipwrecks (Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 2017\n28.2.2017\n1.5.2017 (Gazette 5.4.2017 p1022)\n2017\n51\n Statutes Amendment (SACAT No 2) Act 2017\n28.11.2017\nPt 22 (ss 118 to 120)—14.12.2017 (Gazette 12.12.2017 p4960)\n2019\n45\n Supreme Court (Court of Appeal) Amendment Act 2019\n19.12.2019\nSch 1 (cl 49)—1.1.2021 (Gazette 10.12.2020 p5638)\nProvisions amended\nNew entries appear in bold.\nEntries that relate to provisions that have been deleted appear in italics.\nProvision\nHow varied\nCommencement\nPt 1\n\n\ns 2\nomitted under Legislation Revision and Publication Act 2002\n24.11.2003\ns 3\n\n\ns 3(1)\n\n\nAdelaide Dolphin Sanctuary\ninserted by 5/2005 Sch 2 (cl 29)\n1.7.2005\nhistoric relic\namended by 20/2005 s 4(1)\n23.6.2005\n\nsubstituted by 1/2017 s 4(1)\n1.5.2017\nhistoric shipwreck\namended by 20/2005 s 4(2)\n23.6.2005\n\nsubstituted by 1/2017 s 4(1)\n1.5.2017\ninspector\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\nmarine park\ninserted by 60/2007 Sch 1 cl 28\n6.11.2008\nprotected zone\nsubstituted by 81/1983 s 2(a)\n24.11.1983\n\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\nRiver Murray\ninserted by 35/2003 Sch cl 10(a)\n24.11.2003\nRiver Murray Protection Area\ninserted by 35/2003 Sch cl 10(a)\n24.11.2003\nsea\ndeleted by 81/1983 s 2(b)\n24.11.1983\nTribunal\ninserted by 51/2017 s 118\n14.12.2017\nvessel\ninserted by 1/2017 s 4(2)\n1.5.2017\ns 3(2)\namended by 81/1983 s 2(c)\n24.11.1983\ns 3(3)\namended by 81/1983 s 2(d)\n24.11.1983\n\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\ns 3(4)\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\nPt 2\n\n\ns 4A\ninserted by 20/2005 s 5\n23.6.2005\n\nsubstituted by 1/2017 s 5\n1.5.2017\ns 5\nsubstituted by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\ns 5(4)\ninserted by 1/2017 s 6\n1.5.2017\ns 6\n\n\ns 6(1) and (2)\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\ns 6(3)\nsubstituted by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\ns 6(4)\ndeleted by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\ns 6(6)\ninserted by 1/2017 s 7\n1.5.2017\ns 7\n\n\ns 7(1)\namended by 81/1983 s 3(a)\n24.11.1983\n\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\ns 7(2)\namended by 81/1983 s 3(b)\n24.11.1983\n\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\ns 7(3)\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\n\nsubstituted by 1/2017 s 8\n1.5.2017\ns 7(4) and (5)\ninserted by 1/2017 s 8\n1.5.2017\ns 8\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\ns 9\n\n\ns 9(1)\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\n\namended by 1/2017 s 9(1)\n1.5.2017\ns 9(2)\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\n\namended by 1/2017 s 9(2), (3)\n1.5.2017\ns 9(3)\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\n\namended by 1/2017 s 9(4)\n1.5.2017\ns 10\n\n\ns 10(1)\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\ns 10(2)\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\n\namended by 1/2017 s 10\n1.5.2017\ns 10(3)\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\ns 11\n\n\ns 11(1)\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\ns 11(3)\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\ns 11(4)\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\n\namended by 1/2017 s 11\n1.5.2017\ns 11(5)\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\ns 11(6)\namended by 4/2000 s 9(1) (Sch 1 cl 18(a))\n1.6.2000\n\nsubstituted by 51/2017 s 119\n14.12.2017\ns 11(7)\ndeleted by 4/2000 s 9(1) (Sch 1 cl 18(b))\n1.6.2000\ns 11(8)\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\ns 12\n\n\ns 12(1)\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\ns 12(2)\nsubstituted by 20/2005 s 6\n23.6.2005\n\nsubstituted by 1/2017 s 12\n1.5.2017\ns 12(3)\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\ns 13\n\n\ns 13(1)\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\n\namended by 1/2017 s 13\n1.5.2017\ns 13(2)\namended by 81/1983 s 4\n24.11.1983\ns 13(3)\ndeleted by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\ns 14 before deletion by 1/2017\n\n\ns 14(1) and (2)\nsubstituted by 20/2005 s 7(1)\n23.6.2005\ns 14(3)\namended by 20/2005 s 7(2)\n23.6.2005\ns 14(3a)\ninserted by 20/2005 s 7(3)\n23.6.2005\ns 14\ndeleted by 1/2017 s 14\n1.5.2017\ns 15\n\n\ns 15(1)\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\n\namended by 1/2017 s 15(1)\n1.5.2017\ns 15(3)\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\ns 15(3a)\ninserted by 35/2003 Sch cl 10(b)\n24.11.2003\n\nsubstituted by 60/2007 Sch 1 cl 29\n6.11.2008\n\namended by 1/2017 s 15(2), (3)\n1.5.2017\ns 15(3b)\ninserted by 35/2003 Sch cl 10(b)\n24.11.2003\n\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\n\ndeleted by 60/2007 Sch 1 cl 29\n6.11.2008\ns 15(3c) and (3d)\ninserted by 5/2005 Sch 2 (cl 30)\n1.7.2005\n\ndeleted by 60/2007 Sch 1 cl 29\n6.11.2008\ns 15(5)\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\n\namended by 1/2017 s 15(4)\n1.5.2017\ns 15A\ninserted by 11/2011 s 40\n16.6.2011\ns 16\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\n\namended by 1/2017 s 16\n1.5.2017\ns 17\n\n\ns 17(1)\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\n\namended by 1/2017 s 17(1)\n1.5.2017\ns 17(2)\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\n\namended by 1/2017 s 17(2)\n1.5.2017\ns 17(3)\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\n\namended by 1/2017 s 17(3)\n1.5.2017\ns 18\n\n\ns 18(2)\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\nPt 3\n\n\ns 20\n\n\ns 20(1) and (2)\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\ns 20(4) and (5)\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\n\namended by 45/2019 Sch 1 cl 49\n1.1.2021\ns 21\n\n\ns 21(1) and (2)\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\ns 21(3)\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\n\namended by 1/2017 s 18(1), (2)\n1.5.2017\ns 22 before substitution by 1/2017\n\n\ns 22(1), (2) and (4)—(7)\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\ns 22\nsubstituted by 1/2017 s 19\n1.5.2017\ns 23\n\n\ns 23(1)\namended by 1/2017 s 20(1)\n1.5.2017\ns 23(2)\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\n\namended by 1/2017 s 20(2)\n1.5.2017\ns 23(3)\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\ns 24\n\n\ns 24(1)\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\n\nsubstituted by 1/2017 s 21(1)\n1.5.2017\ns 24(2)\namended by 1/2017 s 21(2)\n1.5.2017\ns 24(3)\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\n\namended by 1/2017 s 21(3)\n1.5.2017\ns 24(4)\namended by 1/2017 s 21(4)\n1.5.2017\ns 24(5)\namended by 1/2017 s 21(5)\n1.5.2017\ns 24(6)\ndeleted by 1/2017 s 21(6)\n1.5.2017\ns 25\ndeleted by 20/2005 s 8\n23.6.2005\ns 26\n\n\ns 26(2)\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\ns 27\nsubstituted by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\ns 27(1)\nsubstituted by 1/2017 s 22\n1.5.2017\ns 28\n\n\ns 28(3)\namended by 20/2005 Sch 2\n23.6.2005\ns 29\nsubstituted by 1/2017 s 23\n1.5.2017\nTransitional etc provisions associated with Act or amendments\nStatutes Amendment (SACAT No 2) Act 2017\n120—Transitional provisions\n\t(1)\tA right to appeal to the Administrative and Disciplinary Division of the District Court under section 11 of the principal Act in relation to a matter in existence (but not yet exercised) before the relevant day, will be exercised as if this Part had been in operation before the right arose, so that the relevant proceedings may be commenced instead before the Tribunal.\n\t(2)\tNothing in this section affects any proceedings before the Administrative and Disciplinary Division of the District Court commenced under the principal Act before the relevant day.\n\t(3)\tIn this section—\nprincipal Act means the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1981;\nrelevant day means the day on which this Part comes into operation;\nTribunal means the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal established under the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013.\nHistorical versions\nReprint No 1—15.8.1991\n\nReprint No 2—1.6.2000\n\nReprint No 3—24.11.2003\n\n23.6.2005 (electronic only)\n\n1.7.2005\n\n6.11.2008\n\n16.6.2011\n\n1.5.2017\n\n14.12.2017\n\n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Act's substantive scope and mechanics have been expanded by amendments recorded in the legislative history. Notably, a statutory 75‑year automatic historic test and related definitions were added (s4A inserted 2005), permit and consultation regimes were extended (amendments across 2003–2008), permit non‑transferability was added (s15A, 2011), and broad substitutions updated enforcement and delegation powers (2017 amendments). These changes increased ministerial discretion, enforcement powers and interaction with other protected‑area regimes (see legislative history entries for 2003, 2005, 2007, 2011 and 2017)."},"complexity_factors":["Wide ministerial discretion to declare historic status, make provisional declarations and create protected zones (ss 4A, 5, 6, 7)","Automatic temporal test (75 years) combined with discretionary declarations creates mixed determinations of scope (s4A)","Criminal prohibition with substantial penalties and prison terms for unauthorised damage, removal or interference (s13)","Permit regime with detailed, changeable conditions and non-transferability; minister may revoke/suspend permits (ss 15, 15A)","Reporting and notice obligations on possessors and finders, with monetary penalties (ss 9, 17)","Inspector powers are broad (entry, search, require ID, require documents, take recordings) with arrest, seizure and forfeiture powers (ss 22, 23, 24)","Ministerial powers to give directions about custody, preservation or exhibition of relics, with civil immunity for complying persons and right to Tribunal review (s11)","Vesting power allowing the Crown to take ownership and a statutory compensation route in the Supreme Court (s20)","Regulations provision authorises additional restrictions, permit fees, evidentiary provisions and enforcement mechanisms, expanding delegated discretion (s29)","Statutory interactions and consultation requirements with Commonwealth and other State Acts/management plans (Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary, Marine Parks, River Murray) add multi‑jurisdictional complexity (ss 19, 15(3a))"],"plain_english_summary":"This Act protects shipwreck remains and related relics in South Australian waters by making them “historic” (automatically after 75 years or by ministerial notice) and by declaring protected zones, and it criminalises damage, removal or interference without a permit (s4A, s5, s7, s13). The Minister decides declarations, permits and custody directions (s5, s15, s11); the Crown may pay rewards and compensation (s18, s20); inspectors enforce the rules and penalties, and finders/owners have reporting and custody obligations."},"summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Scope cannot be assessed as the legislative text was not accessible. The URL provided returned a Page Not Found error from the South Australian legislation website. A meaningful scope assessment requires access to the actual Act and any amending legislation."},"complexity_factors":["Actual legislative text was not retrievable — a Page Not Found error was returned instead of the Act's content","No provisions, definitions, schedules, or amendments could be analysed","Complexity score reflects the inability to assess the document, not the known moderate complexity of the underlying Act itself","Website restructure on 24 March 2026 has broken the provided hyperlink"],"plain_english_summary":"The Historic Shipwrecks Act 1981 (SA) protects shipwrecks and related relics in South Australian waters by restricting interference, salvage, and unpermitted removal, and by requiring discoveries to be reported. It matters to divers, maritime historians, salvage operators and anyone encountering underwater heritage because it criminalises damage or unauthorised disturbance of historic maritime sites."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original 1981 Act focused primarily on protecting historic shipwrecks in marine environments. Over time, amendments have significantly expanded the scope: (1) integration with environmental protection regimes including the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary (2005), Marine Parks (2007), and River Murray Act (2003), making shipwreck protection part of broader ecosystem management; (2) shift from District Court appeals to SACAT (2017) reflecting administrative law modernization; (3) addition of specific consultation requirements with other ministers for overlapping jurisdictions; (4) expansion of definitions to include 'vessel' from Harbors and Navigation Act and clarification of submerged land coverage. The Act has evolved from a straightforward heritage protection statute into a complex instrument coordinating multiple environmental and administrative frameworks."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple overlapping categories of protection: automatic 75-year rule (s 4A), ministerial declarations (s 5), and provisional declarations (s 6)","Complex spatial definitions including 'territorial waters of the State' which includes both internal waters and adjacent waters not covered by Commonwealth law (s 3)","Extensive cross-referencing to other South Australian legislation including Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Act 2005, Marine Parks Act 2007, River Murray Act 2003, and Harbors and Navigation Act 1993","Nested conditional logic in permit requirements with specific consultation obligations for different protected areas (s 15(3a))","Multiple enforcement mechanisms including inspectors, arrest powers, seizure, forfeiture, and evidentiary certificates","Interaction with Commonwealth Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976 requiring careful jurisdictional boundaries","Transitional provisions regarding appeals from District Court to SACAT (South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal)"],"plain_english_summary":"This South Australian law protects old shipwrecks and items found with them that have historical value. It covers shipwrecks that have been underwater for 75 years or more, or any wreck the Minister declares historic. The law makes it illegal to damage, move, or interfere with these protected items without a permit. It also creates 'protected zones' around important sites where activities like diving or salvage are restricted. The Minister can demand information about where wrecks are located, issue permits for exploration, and even take ownership of wrecks to protect them. There are inspectors with powers to search premises, vessels, and vehicles, and to arrest people without warrants in serious cases. People who find shipwrecks must report them, and there are rewards for information leading to discoveries or convictions. The law applies to both state waters and adjacent areas not covered by Commonwealth law."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/historic-shipwrecks-act-1981","history":"/api/acts/historic-shipwrecks-act-1981/history","analysis":"/api/acts/historic-shipwrecks-act-1981/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/historic-shipwrecks-act-1981/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/historic-shipwrecks-act-1981/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/historic-shipwrecks-act-1981/documents"}}