Part IX Salvage and Wreck

Chapter II Wreck

Offences in respect of wreck

246 Interfering with wrecked vessel or wreck.

1

Subject to subsection (2) below, a person commits an offence if, without the permission of the master, he boards or attempts to board any vessel which is wrecked, stranded or in distress.

2

No offence is committed under subsection (1) above if the person is the receiver or a person lawfully acting as the receiver or if he acts by command of the receiver or a person so acting.

3

A person commits an offence if—

a

he impedes or hinders or attempts to impede or hinder the saving of—

i

any vessel stranded or in danger of being stranded, or otherwise in distress, on or near any coast or tidal water; or

ii

any part of the cargo or equipment of any such vessel; or

iii

any wreck;

b

he conceals any wreck;

c

he defaces or obliterates any mark on a vessel; or

d

he wrongfully carries away or removes—

i

any part of any vessel stranded or in danger of being stranded, or otherwise in distress, on or near any coast or tidal water;

ii

any part of the cargo or equipment of any such vessel; or

iii

any wreck.

4

The master of a vessel may forcibly repel any person committing or attempting to commit an offence under subsection (1) above.

5

A person who is guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable, on summary conviction—

a

in the case of an offence under subsection (1) above, to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale;

b

in the case of an offence under subsection (3) above, to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.