On September 1, 1985 or about 30 years ago, Robert Ballard famously found the Titanic which sank in 1912. It submerged more than two miles deep and 380 miles southeast of Newfoundland. In a special interview with National Geographic, Ballard says that because the wreck is in international waters and the company that owned it no longer exists, maritime law dictates that no one owns it - thus allowing anyone to visit and swim away with artifacts.
According to the report of the Newser, because the Titanic is on the continental shelf, Canada is requesting an extension to claim that territory and thus the right to the vessel. With no light and little life so far below the surface of the ocean, many artifacts were well preserved and thus carted away by tourists. "The salvagers have reached a point of diminishing returns,'' Ballard says today. But still he adds, "Most of the destruction is being done by humans that are landing on it.'' If Canada wins ownership of the ship, time will tell what it chooses to do with the remains.
National Geographic said thirty years ago, ocean explorer Robert Ballard found the twisted wreckage of the Titanic that rested over 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) below the surface. The Titanic sank in international waters roughly 380 miles southeast of Newfoundland. According to maritime law, a shipwreck in international waters is under no national jurisdiction. Since the company that owned the ship no longer exists, anyone with the right equipment and expertise to reach the ship could go down for a visit and return with artifacts.
The land on which the Titanic sits is beyond the exclusive economic zone (EEC) of Canada, but they can request an extension. It's called the continuing continental shelf which says that if you can prove your country's [continental shelf] goes beyond 200 miles, you can claim that territory.