Wreck and Salvage
The Wreck and Salvage (Vessels and Aircraft) (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1986, as amended, makes it clear that any wreck material found in or on the sea, or washed ashore from local tidal waters must be reported to the Receiver of Wreck.
Ownership of wreck is vested in the States of Guernsey and not the finder. The Receiver of Wreck will investigate ownership, attempt to reunite the owner with their property and ensure that the finder receives any salvage due. The term ‘wreck’ includes any: -
- Vessel - either wrecked, sunk, abandoned, derelict, stranded or in distress.
- Cargo - currently or formerly contained in, carried on or belonging to a vessel.
- Historic Wreck - which is a vessel, aircraft or its cargo that has lain wrecked for 50 years or more.
Contact:
Mr Adrian Lewis, Receiver of Wreck, Public Services Department, Sir Charles Frossard House, PO Box 43, La Charroterie, St Peter Port, GY1 1FH.
Tel. 01481 717000, Fax. 01481 725887, Email: publicservices@gov.gg
Minor wreck e.g. timbers washed up on shore
Any person finding or recovering any wrecked vessel or any cargo or bringing these into local waters should report it to the Receiver of Wreck. If you are not the owner of the property you recover you should complete the Report of Wreck Form in the downloads section.
Historic wreck
Historic wreck is protected and should not be tampered with or removed from its position, unless you have a licence issued by the Culture and Leisure Department. If you believe you have discovered or raised historic wreck you must report it to the Receiver of Wreck
Major wreck
Any person receiving information regarding a wreck or part of a wreck shall immediately convey this to the Receiver of Wreck. In cases of major shipwreck the Receiver of Wreck’s responsibility is to conduct a salvage operation.
The definition of local waters relates to the territorial limit which is 3 miles and includes shores.
It should be noted that non compliance with the Wreck and Salvage Law can result in a fine.
Alderney and Sark
The Law has effect in both Alderney and Sark each of which has its own Receiver of Wreck as follows.
Mr David Jeremiah, States Office, St Anne, Alderney, GY9 3AA. Tel. 01481 822816, Fax. 01481 824447.
Mr John Carre, L’Hivernage, Sark, GY9 0SA. Tel. 01481 832000, Fax. 01481 832472.