Section 144
Section 144
(1)
Where any ship is or has been in distress on the coasts of Brunei, a receiver of wreck, or in his absence a magistrate, shall as soon as conveniently n1ay be examine on oath any person belonging to the ship, or any other person 107
Power of re-ceiver to sup-press plunder and disorder by force
Exercise of powers of re-ceiver in his absence
Examination in respect of vessel in dis-tress
108
Rules to be observed by persons finding wreck
Merchant Shipping who is able to give any account thereof or of the cargo or stores thereof, as to the following matters
(a)
the name and description of the ship;
(b)
the name of the master and of the owners;
(c)
the names of the owners of the cargo;
(d)
the ports from and to which the ship was bound;
(e)
the occasion of the distress of the ship;
(f)
the services rendered;
(g)
such other matters or circumstances relating to the ship or to the cargo on board the same as the person holding the examination thinks necessary.
(2)
The person holding the examination shall take the same down in writing, and shall send 2 copies thereof to the Director, who shall cause one of those copies to be placed in some conspicuous situation for the inspection of persons desirous of examining the same.
(3)
The person holding the examination shall for the purposes thereof have all the powers of an inspector under this Act.
Dealing with Wreck 145.
(1)
Where any person finds or takes possession of any wreck within the limits of Brunei or of any wreck found or taken possession of outside the limits of Brunei and brought within the limits of Brunei, he shall -
(a)
if he is the owner thereof, give notice to the receiver of the district stating that he has found or
-
Merchant Shipping taken possession of the same, and describing the marks by which the same may be recognised;
(b)
if he is not the owner thereof, as soon as possible deliver the same to the receiver of the district.
(2)
Any person who fails, without reasonable cause, to comply with this section, shall be guilty of an offence:
Penalty, a fine of $2,000, and shall in addition, if he is not the owner, forfeit any claim to salvage, and shall be liable to pay to the owner of the wreck if it is claimed, or if it is unclaimed to the person entitled to the same, double the value thereof, to be recovered in the same way as costs in the Court of a Magistrate.