In the United Kingdom, the Receiver of Wreck is also appointed to retain the possession of royal fish on behalf of the British crown.
[1] Operating on behalf of the Department for Transport, the Receiver of Wreck is located within the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
In Ireland a Receiver of Wreck is a Revenue Official appointed by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport with the consent of the Revenue Commissioners whose duty is to deal with any wreck found in or on the shores of the sea or any tidal water or harbour.
Traditionally, salvage was an important economic source in coastal areas and sometimes exposed the savage and merciless nature of those around the coast.
This involves researching ownership and working with the finder, owner, archaeologists, museums, and other interested parties.
[5] The Receiver of Wreck also undertakes the task of disposing of "royal fish" in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but not in Cornwall or Scotland.
The Receiver of Wreck's remit is set down in the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, Part IX, Chapters 1-2.
[7] According to section 255 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, wreck includes "jetsam, flotsam, lagan or derelict".
The Act does not define these terms, but they may be understood as follows:[8] Boats that have come off their moorings are not normally classified as wreck as they have not been abandoned without hope of recovery.
If wreck from UK territorial waters is unclaimed at the end of one year, the Receiver will dispose of the find on behalf of the Crown.
If wreck from outside UK territorial waters is unclaimed at the end of one year, the Crown makes no claim, and the material is returned to the finder.