[1] The location of its shipwreck was unknown until its discovery in 1985 by Robert Ballard, 350 nautical miles (400 mi; 650 km) off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada.

In response, the United States passed the RMS Titanic Maritime Memorial Act in 1986,[3] which recognized the shipwreck as an international maritime memorial,[4] and authorized the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Department of State to negotiate an international agreement to protect the wreck.

[5][6] The UK signed the resulting agreement on 6 November 2003,[7] using a "definitive signature without reservation as to ratification",[8] and passed The Protection of Wrecks (RMS Titanic) Order 2003 under the Merchant Shipping Act to implement it.

[13] Specifically, both countries can grant or deny licenses to permit entry into the shipwreck or to remove items from it.

The UK has expressed its intention to urge other North Atlantic countries to join the agreement, especially Canada and France.