Merchant Shipping Act 1995

231 Application of, and discharge of functions under, sections 232, 233 234 and 235

(1) Sections 232, 233, 234 and 235 apply in circumstances where a United Kingdom or foreign vessel is wrecked, stranded, or in distress at any place on or near the coasts of the United Kingdom or any tidal water within United Kingdom waters.

(2) Where any function is conferred on the receiver by any of those sections that function may be discharged by any officer of customs and excise or any principal officer of the coastguard.

(3) An officer discharging any such functions of the receiver shall, with respect to any goods or articles belonging to a vessel the delivery of which to the receiver is required by any provision of this Chapter, be treated as the agent of the receiver.

(4) However, an officer discharging such functions shall not—

(a) be entitled to any fees payable to receivers, or

(b) be deprived of any right to salvage to which he would otherwise be entitled.

(5) In any of those sections “shipwrecked persons”, in relation to a vessel, means persons belonging to the vessel.