Section 290

Where a vessel is wrecked, stranded or in distress at any place on or near the coasts of Singapore, or any tidal water within the limits of Singapore, any cargo or other articles belonging to or separated from the vessel which are washed on shore or otherwise lost or taken from the vessel shall be delivered to the receiver.

Any person, whether the owner or not, who secretes or keeps possession of any such cargo or article, or refuses to deliver the same to the receiver or any person authorised by him to demand the same, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction for each offence to a fine not exceeding $2,000.

The receiver or any person authorised as aforesaid may take any such cargo or article by force from the person so refusing to deliver the same.[313