Merchant Shipping Act 1894

536 Interfering with wrecked vessel or wreck.

(1) A person shall not without the leave of the master board or endeavour to board any vessel which is wrecked, stranded, or in distress, unless that person is, or acts by command of, the receiver or a person lawfully acting as such, and if any person acts in contravention of this enactment, he shall for each offence be liable to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds, and the master of the vessel may repel him by force.

(2) A person shall not—

(a) impede or hinder, or endeavour in any way to impede or hinder, the saving of any vessel stranded or in danger of being stranded, or otherwise in distress on or near any coast or tidal water, or of any part of the cargo or apparel thereof, or of any wreck;

(b) secrete any wreck, or deface or obliterate any marks thereon; or

(c) wrongfully carry away or remove any part of a vessel stranded or in danger of being stranded, or otherwise in distress, on or near any coast or tidal water, or any part of the cargo or apparel thereof, or any wreck,

and if any person acts in contravention of this enactment, he shall be liable for each offence to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds, and that fine may be inflicted in addition to any punishment to which he may be liable by law under this Act or otherwise.