'Aircraft and shipwrecks tie us to our past'
There are thousands of sunken ships and crashed planes around Northern Ireland's shoreline, 384 of which have been located.
The earliest shipwreck is a Spanish Armada vessel from the 1500s, but most are wooden sailing merchant vessels from the 19th Century and World War One and Two vessels.
But marine heritage isn't just shipwrecks. Northern Ireland's inshore and offshore regions contain a rich archaeological record spanning the previous 9,000 years.
It includes material ranging from prehistoric flint tools and log boats to historic harbour installations.
These artefacts are recorded and monitored through a partnership between the Department for Communities' Historic Environment Division and the Department of Agriculture's Marine and Fisheries Division.
They also maintain a live map of every recorded wreck around Northern Ireland and ensure these heritage sites are appropriately protected.
Video journalist: Niall McCracken
