Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act (S.C. 2019, c. 1)

Marginal note:Obligation to report

• 58 (1) A person must report a wreck whose owner is unknown or cannot be located to a receiver of wreck, in the form and manner specified by the receiver of wreck,

  • (a) as soon as feasible after taking possession of it under paragraph (3)(a);

  • (b) before taking possession of it, other than under paragraph (3)(a), if the wreck was found in Canada; or

  • (c) as soon as feasible, if the person brings the wreck into Canada.

• Marginal note:Exception

  (2) Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of a wreck that is a thing that could not reasonably be expected to be identified as having been part of or on a vessel or aircraft.

• Marginal note:Finding wreck

  (3) It is prohibited for a person that finds a wreck in Canada whose owner is unknown or cannot be located to take possession of it unless

  • (a) the wreck is in danger and the possession is necessary to secure or otherwise protect it; or

  • (b) that person has been authorized to do so by the receiver of wreck under paragraph (4)(a).

• Marginal note:Powers of receiver of wreck

  (4) On receipt of a report referred to in subsection (1), a receiver of wreck may

  • (a) authorize the person that made the report to take possession of the wreck;

  • (b) direct the person that made the report to

    • (i) provide any additional information that the receiver specifies,

    • (ii) take the measures with respect to the wreck — other than selling, dismantling, destroying or otherwise disposing of it — that the receiver specifies, including delivering it to the receiver or keeping it in their possession, in accordance with his or her instructions, and

    • (iii) take the measures that the receiver specifies to determine the owner of the wreck, including giving notice that the wreck was reported, in the form and manner that the receiver considers appropriate; and

  • (c) take, or authorize any other person to take, the measures with respect to the wreck — other than selling, dismantling, destroying or otherwise disposing of it — that the receiver considers appropriate.