Guidance

Recreational dive activity table

Updated 6 January 2021

Applies to England and Northern Ireland

Activity	Description / conditions	Marine licence requirements
Launching of Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) or other Dive Vessel	A marine licence is not required for the launching of a vessel nor is one required for a deposit made in connection with the launching of a vessel.	No marine licence needed.
Anchoring at a dive site	A marine licence is not required for deposits made in the course of normal navigation. Note: Some Marine protected Areas have bylaws in place that prohibit anchoring. You will need to check if there is a bylaw in place at the location of your proposed dive. If anchoring is prohibited at the location a different location must be selected or the activity carried out without anchoring.	No marine licence is needed
Marking – Less than 24 hours	A marine licence is not required for markers (including shot lines or similar) deployed for less than 24 hours.	No marine licence is required in most circumstances but you will need to check to ensure what you want to do will not cause an obstruction or danger to navigation or have significant effects on a marine protected area
Marking – Longer than 24 hours but less than 28 days	A marine licence is not required for markers (deployed and left unattended for longer than 24 hours but less than 28 days) in most cases but notification to the MMO is required. The exemption only applies if: The marker is removed from the marine environment entirely before 28 days. (Moving the marker to a different location in the same vicinity for the same purpose does not reset the clock) the deposit will not cause and obstruction or danger to navigation; and Notification of the intention to carry on the activity is provided to the MMO in advance	No marine licence is required in most circumstances but you will need to ensure what you do will not cause an obstruction or danger to navigation or have a significant effect on a marine protected area and make sure you notify the MMO by completing an exemption notification form.
Marking – Longer than 28 days	Markers deployed for more than 28 days require a marine licence. In these circumstances the activity may be suitable for a self-service marine licence. Divers are encouraged to revew the Self-service guidance in the first instance paying particular attention to site sensitive factor criteria.	A marine licence is required. Apply for a marine licence
Surveying of a dive site	A marine licence is not required to conduct surveys of shipwrecks, use survey lines or datums deployed for less than 24 hours.	No marine licence is required
Dive trails – within restricted sites	A marine licence is not required for a deposit or removal activity for the purpose of placing, securing or removing signage or other identifying markers relating to a wreck within an area designated as a restricted area under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973; a monument designated as a scheduled monument under section 1 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 or an area designated as a controlled site under section 1(2)(b) of the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986. Note: See requirements under other legislation	No marine licence is required
Dive trails – other	A marine licence is required for a deposit or removal activity for the purpose of placing, securing or removing signage or other identifying markers anywhere at sea other than in circumstances set out above.	A marine licence is required. Apply for a marine licence
Removals - by hand	A marine licence is not required to remove an object from the seabed provided the removal is made by hand alone. Note: See below requirements under other legislation	No marine licence is required.
Marine litter or Abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear	A marine licence is not required to remove marine litter or abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear. The exemption only applies if the activity is not likely to cause damage to features of archaeological or historic interest or have significant effects on a marine protected area. “Marine litter” means any persistent, manufactured or processed solid material discarded, disposed of or abandoned in the marine and coastal environment	No marine licence is required in most circumstances, but you will need to check to ensure what you want to do will not have significant effects on a marine protected area or cause damage to features of archaeological or historic interest
Ascending from a dive	A marine licence is not required for delayed or permanently inflated Surface Marker Buoys (SMBs)	No marine licence is required
Taking photos or video of certain species	A marine licence is not required. Requirements under other legislation	No marine licence is required