Congress enacted the R.M.S. Titanic Maritime Memorial Act of 1986 (1986 Act) to designate the R.M.S. Titanic wreck site as an international maritime memorial and to regulate research, exploration and appropriate salvage activities at the site. The 986 Act recognized the United States’ interest in the site, its cultural, historical and educational significance, and the risk of misguided salvage. Congress directed the United States Department of State to negotiate an international agreement with the United Kingdom, Canada, France, and other interested countries to implement the purpose and objectives of the 1986 Act. Additionally, the 1986 Act called for NOAA to develop international guidelines (NOAA Guidelines) with the same nations for the exploration and research of the site and any appropriate salvage. The 1986 Act became law on October 21, 1986.

Additional reference information: 

• Frequently Asked Questions on the 1986 Act
• The R.M.S. Titanic Maritime Memorial Act of 1986 (16 U.S.C. § 450rr, et seq.) (1986 Act).
• President Reagan’s Signing Statement for the R.M.S. Titanic Maritime Memorial Act of 1986 (10/26/86).
• Hearing of the House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee on H.R. 3272, a bill to Designate the Shipwreck of the Titanic as a Maritime Memorial (October 29, 1985).
• H. Rept. 99-393 (November 21, 1985), Report of the House Merchant marine and Fisheries Committee on the The R.M.S. Titanic Maritime Memorial Act of 1986.
• Digital Legislative History of the Titanic Maritime Memorial Act of 1986. offsite link
• 02/24/86. Weimer, Douglas, An Examination of the Legal Issues Concerning Historic Shipwrecks, Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress

 Last updated July 9, 2018