MSDS Marine and MSDS Heritage

15/06/2026

We're pleased to share our latest report on the Protected Wreck Site of The London, undertaken on behalf of Historic England. The report uses high-resolution hydrographic survey data to assess how the site has changed between 2020 and 2025, helping to inform its future management and protection.

A huge thank you to Robin Fidler and Aequorea for collecting the survey data while working in the area and providing it at no cost to Historic England. Their support has enabled valuable monitoring of this nationally important wreck site.

Projects like this show the importance of partnership working. By bringing together Historic England, industry partners such as Aequorea, the support of volunteers like The London Shipwreck Project and Save The London team and the archaeological expertise of MSDS Marine, we can continue to improve our understanding of England's underwater cultural heritage and ensure it is protected for future generations.

Thank you to everyone involved in making this work possible.

Read the report in the Archaeology Data Service library here: https://doi.org/10.5284/1143172

12/06/2026

In our latest blog, Senior Project Officer Alistair Byford Bates shares his experience of completing the United States Defense POW / MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) Partner Field Orientation Training.

The DPAA works to locate, recover and identify missing US military personnel from conflicts around the world, helping to bring answers and closure to families. The training provided a fascinating insight into how archaeologists, forensic specialists and partner organisations can work together to support this important mission.

Alistair's blog also highlights how the skills used every day in maritime archaeology – from research and survey to excavation, recording and recovery – can contribute to wider humanitarian objectives through international collaboration.

We're proud to invest in training and partnerships that allow our team to develop new skills, share expertise and support important work beyond our usual projects. Take a few minutes to read Alistair's fascinating blog and learn more about the power of partnership working.

https://msdsmarine.com/dpaa-partner-field-orientation-training/

11/06/2026

A few weeks ago Beccy from MSDS Marine was invited to give a talk on Marine Heritage Crime on our behalf at the AQUAPOL Academy held in Southampton.

AQUAPOL Academy is a week long training event funded by the European Union and was hosted by the UK's Joint Maritime Security Centre (JMSC) this year. With 30 delegates working in marine police units from 15 European countries and UK Crown Dependencies, it was a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of Marine Heritage Crime. It was great to share our experience with those who work in marine enforcement at sea, and whilst they may work in different jurisdictions, the challenges in policing marine heritage crime remain very similar.

Thank you to Del and all those involved in organising this event for inviting us to be part of it all!

02/06/2026

We're proud to work with universities, including the University of Southampton, to provide hands-on work placements that help students gain real-world experience in maritime archaeology.

In our latest blog, master's student Riley Conway reflects on his 18-day placement with the MSDS Marine team. From researching historic wrecks and learning new GIS and geophysical skills to contributing to archive projects and discovering the realities of working around the British weather, Riley shares how the experience helped him better understand the profession and shape his future career plans.

It's always rewarding to see students develop new skills, build confidence and gain valuable insight into the maritime archaeology sector. We're delighted that Riley found the placement both enjoyable and useful, and we wish him every success with his studies and future career.

Read Riley's story here: https://msdsmarine.com/a-peak-behind-the-curtain-appreciating-the-reality-of-working-in-maritime-archaeology/

27/05/2026

We love Derbyshire Scout Archaeology and were made up that they made the most of the under the sea theme st this years Spring Bank Scout & Guide Camp,!

It’s fantastic that so many young people got to try our activities without even getting wet!

22/05/2026

This week Rachel and Tristan joined the team at York Archaeology to analyse some cores taken as part of our development control projects. This was an excellent opportunity for CPD and to share skills across the sector!

Thank you to Kris and all at York Archaeology for hosting us 😊

21/05/2026

We’re excited to announce the expansion of our paid maritime archaeology internship programme for 2026!

Over the last few years, our team has worked hard to redevelop our work placement opportunities to better support the next generation of maritime archaeology professionals.

This year we received more than 60 applications for just two placements, so we’ve expanded the programme to offer FIVE ten-day paid placements in 2026.

Our interns gain first-hand experience working alongside professional maritime archaeologists on nationally important marine heritage projects, including:
⚓ Desk-based research
⚓ Heritage and site-focused tasks
⚓ Visits to active field operations
⚓ Opportunities to support diving projects from the surface

The placements form part of our ongoing work delivering services in relation to marine designation on behalf of Historic England, helping investigate and protect some of England’s most important marine heritage sites.

We’re passionate about helping people gain practical skills, confidence and real experience within the sector, and we look forward to welcoming Jack, Emily, Jake, Harry and Millie to our team!

19/05/2026

Jenny and Alison have spent the day with Class 3 and Class 4 at Holbrook Primary. In a slight change to their day job in underwater archaeology they spent the day as historic buildings archaeologists looking for evidence of the framework knitting industry in the village.

These sessions were developed as part of our Historic England Everyday Heritage grant in 2022 and it’s great to see more children finding out about our village on the back of this project! It’s inspired so much great work and we are just hoping perhaps one or two future archaeologists ☺️

15/05/2026

Our team is in London this week, with colleagues from across the global archaeological science community for the 6th conference on the Preservation of Archaeological Remains In Situ (PARIS6). Although there have been dramitic changes worldwide since the last PARIS event a decade ago, one thing definitely remains constant - archaeologists are impressed by a quality biscuit.

Seriously though, we are pleased to be attending this event and we are proud to be there representing MSDS discussing mitigations to these challenges amongst such distinguished company!

14/05/2026

📢 New publication!

We’re really pleased to share a new journal article from Alison James and Beccy Austin exploring how maritime heritage can positively support wellbeing and mental health.

Published as part of the latest wellbeing-themed issue of Internet Archaeology, the paper uses examples from projects delivered by MSDS Marine and highlights how volunteering, outreach, education and hands-on engagement with maritime heritage can help build confidence, create social connections, improve employability and give people a real sense of purpose.

The article also argues that maritime heritage is about much more than protecting the past — it can also play an important role in supporting people and communities today.

The wider issue brings together a range of papers exploring archaeology, heritage and wellbeing across different communities and settings — highlighting the growing importance of heritage as something that benefits people as well as places.

Read the article here:
https://intarch.ac.uk/journal/issue73/3/

Explore the full issue:
https://intarch.ac.uk/journal/issue73/

Issue 73. Wellbeing and Archaeology