If the finder is not the owner of the wreck, a form must be obtained from the Receiver of Wreck, Coastguard station or Customs and Excise and must be completed and sent to the Receiver of Wreck.
The finder may be allowed to keep any items of wreck reported subject to agreement with the Receiver of Wreck. The goods are held under the control of the Receiver for one year from the date of their report; the finder may not use or dispose of them. The Receiver will try to locate the owner; the finder has a duty to assist in this. If at the end of the 12-month period the owner has not been traced, the goods will be disposed of.
