RECEIVER OF WRECK

Background to the Receiver of Wreck
Prior to 1993, the function of Receiver of Wreck was dealt with by Customs & Excise officers around the coast of Britain. Since 1993, the Receiver of Wreck has become a centralised function, dealing with all reports of wreck from around the UK. It is based within the Maritime and Coastguard Agency headquarters in Southampton, with assistance from Coastguard personnel around the coast.

The type of material reported to the Receiver of Wreck has changed quite substantially with the increase in popularity of scuba diving. In the early part of the century, the type of material reported typically included lost deck cargo and small boats, now there is much more of an emphasis on recovered material from shipwrecks.

Salvage has a long history, going back to the urinatores of the Roman period, who were rewarded for salvaging material. Even in the medieval and later periods, prior to scuba diving, recovery of wreck material was undertaken using a diving bell. The function of the Receiver of Wreck continues in this tradition, to ensure that the rights of the finder and owner are upheld.

  • Role of the Receiver of Wreck Web page 
    The main task of the Receiver of Wreck is to processes incoming reports of wreck, in the interest of both salvor and owner. This involves researching ownership, liaising with finder and owner, and other interested parties such as archaeologists and museums
  • Remit & Scope of the Receiver of Wreck Web page 
    The Receiver of Wreck's remit is set down in the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, Part IX, Chapters 1-2. It covers wreck from UK territorial waters, and wreck landed in the UK from outside UK territorial waters. The Receiver's remit extends to tidal waters in the UK
  • Enforcement Web page 
    The Receiver of Wreck will use best endeavours to ensure the fair treatment of both legal salvors and legal owners. However, the Receiver of Wreck expects all sea- and coast-users to abide by the law when recovering wreck. Where illegal activity is suspected and verified, the Receiver will not hesitate to take action to enforce the law
  • Salvage Web page 
    As with law relating to wreck, there are three main Acts which cover salvage. These are the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 and the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986. In simple terms, the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973 and the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 detail what salvors can’t do, and the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 covers what salvors can or must do
  • Reporting Wrecks Web page 
    Any wreck material found in UK territorial waters (to 12 mile limit), or outside the UK and brought within UK territorial waters must by law be reported to the Receiver of Wreck (under s. 236 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995). All wreck material discovered must be reported, however small or seemingly insignificant. It is up to the Receiver to decide whether it is important. The type of material which is reported includes portholes, bells, plates, compasses, fixtures and fittings, bundles of wood, hatch covers, historical and archaeological material such as medieval pots, gold coins, cannon etc.
  • Reasons to Report Web page 
    It’s the Law - No matter how small or seemingly insignificant, all wreck material raised from the seabed must be reported to the Receiver of Wreck (under s. 236 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995).
  • Report Form Web page 
    If you have recovered any wreck material you will need to complete a 'Report of Wreck and Salvage Form'. You can download the form by clicking on the link above.
  • Wreck Law Web page 
    There are three main laws which apply to shipwrecks: The Merchant Shipping Act 1995, the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973, and the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986
  • Penalties Web page 
    Failure to report wreck which has been raised (even if you own the wreck), constitutes an offence under section 236 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995. Finders who do not report their finds are liable to pay a fine of up to £2,500 for each offence, will lose any salvage rights, and have to pay the person entitled to the find twice the value of the find. Finders who do not report their finds may be prosecuted, and those who are found guilty will then have a criminal record.