Section 286

Whenever a vessel is wrecked, stranded or in distress as aforesaid, and any person plunders, creates disorder or obstructs the preservation of the vessel or of the shipwrecked persons or of the cargo or apparel of the vessel, the receiver may cause that person to be apprehended.

The receiver may use force for the suppression of any such plundering, disorder or obstruction, and may command all persons to assist him in so using force.

If any person is killed, maimed or hurt, by reason of his resisting the receiver or any person acting under the orders of the receiver in the execution of the duties by this Part committed to the receiver, neither the receiver nor the person acting under his orders shall be liable to any punishment or to pay any damages by reason of the person being so killed, maimed or hurt.[309