Merchant Shipping Act 1995 · 2020 Revised Edition · Part 9 · Wreck and Salvage
156. Claims of owners to wreck
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The owner of any wreck in the possession of the receiver, upon establishing the owner’s claim to the wreck to the satisfaction of the receiver within one month from the time at which the wreck came into the possession of the receiver, is entitled, upon paying the salvage fees and expenses due, to have the wreck or the proceeds thereof delivered up to the owner.
owner
“owner”, in relation to goods, means every person who is for the time being entitled, either as owner or agent for the owner, to the possession of the goods, subject in the case of a lien (if any) to that lien;
Where any articles belonging to or forming part of a foreign ship which has been wrecked on or near the coasts of Singapore, or belonging to and forming part of the cargo, are found on or near those coasts or are brought into any port in Singapore, the consular officer of the country to which the ship or, in the case of cargo, to which the owners of the cargo may have belonged is to, in the absence of the owner and the master or other agent of the owner, be deemed to be the agent of the owner, so far as relates to the custody and disposal of the articles.
ship
“ship” means any kind of vessel used in navigation by water, however propelled or moved and includes —(a)a barge, lighter or other floating vessel;(b)an air-cushion vehicle, or other similar craft, used wholly or primarily in navigation by water; and(c)an off-shore industry mobile unit;
Where any foreign ship is wrecked on or near the coasts of Singapore, the consular officer of the country to which the ship may have belonged is to, in the absence of the owner and the master or other agent of the owner, be deemed to be the agent of the owner, so far as relates to the custody and disposal of the wrecked ship.
consular officer
“consular officer” includes —(a)a consul, ambassador, high commissioner, commissioner or other head of a diplomatic mission;(b)a Minister;(c)a charge d’affairs; and(d)a counsellor, secretary or attache of an embassy or other mission;