Endurance, the legendary shipwreck from Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic expedition, has significantly expanded its protected perimeter.

The radius has been increased from 500 to 1500 meters to protect the site and surrounding debris adequately.

The updated measures, part of a recently released Conservation Management Plan (CMP), will restrict activities in the greater zone to protect the ship and any scattered relics.

The wreck was discovered in March 2022 and is located at a depth of 3000 meters in the Weddell Sea.

Camilla Nichol, CEO of the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust, emphasized the importance of international cooperation to protect the site from potential threats.

Nichol stated that the Endurance shipwreck is well protected given its depth, near permanent cover of sea ice, and remoteness.

The ship’s popularity as a symbol of the Heroic Age of Antarctic exploration has captivated people for decades.

Shackleton’s remarkable efforts to rescue his crew after the Endurance became stuck and eventually sank in 1915 remain legendary.

The wreck’s excellent condition upon discovery, with undamaged timbers and a variety of marine life, added to its historical value.

As deep-diving technology advances and Antarctic ice melts, the wreck becomes more accessible, increasing fears about looting and accidental damage by submersibles.

Increased fishing activities in the Weddell Sea also present concerns, such as discarded gear being entangled with the wreck.

The CMP, which has been adopted by governments participating in the Antarctic Treaty System, proposes stricter protection measures, including the possibility of upgrading to Antarctic Specially Protected Area status.

Any visits to the wreck would require severe permit evaluations and expert oversight.

The ASPA designation will be pursued formally in 2025, to set a precedent for future historically significant wrecks in Antarctica.

Marine experts are curious to investigate the ecosystem surrounding the wreck, which serves as an artificial reef for sponges, sea anemones, and other filter-feeding organisms.

Future research rules require that all acquired data be made publicly available.

A National Geographic video on the wreck’s discovery, set to be released later this year, will include a 3D scan of Endurance, increasing public interest in the ship’s story.

Hefin Meara, a marine archaeologist from Historic England, emphasized the importance of the CMP in coordinating efforts to safeguard the site.

Meara stated that by putting this strategy together and presenting it to the treaty parties, they gained a method for everyone to work inside a similar framework and understanding.

Timeline of Endurance’s voyage
December 1914: Endurance departs South Georgia.
February 1915: The ship becomes ice-locked.
October 1915: The vessel’s timbers begin to break.
November 1915: Endurance Sinks
April 1916: The crew reaches Elephant Island.
May 1916: Shackleton seeks support in South Georgia.
August 1916: The relief ship rescues the crew on Elephant Island.

Reference: BBC