Part 9A

Wreck Removal Convention

Reporting, marking and removing

Wreck reports
255B
1
Where an accident results in a wreck in a Convention area, the persons responsible for any United Kingdom ship involved in the accident must report the wreck without delay.
2
If the wreck is in the United Kingdom's Convention area, it must be reported to the Secretary of State.
3
If the wreck is in the Convention area of any other State, it must be reported to the government of that State.
4
The following are responsible for a ship—
a
the master of the ship, and
b
the operator of the ship.
5
A report under subsection (1) must include the information mentioned in paragraph (2) of Article 5 of the Wrecks Convention (so far as it is known).
6
If one of the persons responsible for a ship makes a report under subsection (1) the others are no longer under a duty to make a report.
7
Failure to comply with the reporting requirement is an offence.
8
A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—
a
on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £50,000, or
b
on conviction on indictment, to a fine
on summary conviction, or on conviction on indictment, to a fine.
Words in s. 255B(8) substituted (E.W.) (12.3.2015) by The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (Fines on Summary Conviction) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/664), reg. 1(1), Sch. 4 para. 27(11) (with reg. 5(1))
Pt. 9A inserted (5.2.2015 for the insertion of ss. 255A, 255J, 255N, 255R for specified purposes, 14.4.2015 in so far as not already in force) by Wreck Removal Convention Act 2011 (c. 8), ss. 1(2), 2(2); S.I. 2015/133, arts. 2, 3