Section 240
Prohibition of certain acts in respect of wreck.
The Merchant Shipping Act, 2025
About this Act
An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to merchant shipping to ensure compliance with India's obligation under the maritime treaties and international instruments to which India is a party and also to ensure the development of Indian shipping and efficient maintenance of Indian mercantile marine in a manner best suited to serve the national interest and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
No person shall,—
(a) without the leave of the master, board or attempt to board any ship which is wrecked, stranded or in distress, unless the person acts by command of the Central Government; or
(b) impede or hinder or attempt in any way to impede or hinder the saving of any ship stranded or in danger of being stranded or otherwise in distress in any area to which this Chapter applies or of any part of the cargo or equipment of the ship, or of any wreck; or
(c) release any wreck or deface or obliterate any marks thereon; or
(d) wrongfully carry away or remove any part of a ship stranded or in danger of being stranded or otherwise in distress or any part of the cargo or equipment of the ship or any wreck, in any area to which this Chapter applies.
(a) without the leave of the master, board or attempt to board any ship which is wrecked, stranded or in distress, unless the person acts by command of the Central Government; or
(b) impede or hinder or attempt in any way to impede or hinder the saving of any ship stranded or in danger of being stranded or otherwise in distress in any area to which this Chapter applies or of any part of the cargo or equipment of the ship, or of any wreck; or
(c) release any wreck or deface or obliterate any marks thereon; or
(d) wrongfully carry away or remove any part of a ship stranded or in danger of being stranded or otherwise in distress or any part of the cargo or equipment of the ship or any wreck, in any area to which this Chapter applies.