Gordin said: <<<I'm doing some research on wrecks and salvage rights. If anyone has any stories about finding ships/boats, wrecked on reefs, abandoned or similar circumstances; I'd love to hear them. Feel free to contact me back channel if you wish. Different countries have different laws regarding salvage rights but don't let that deter you. If you've a good tale to tell I want to hear it. >>> The main thing to remember if you come upon a wreck is to notify the Coast Guard to see if it is an ongoing case, or even a recent case or case in progress. In that respect, if sign are fresh, life and limb issues are the priority. If you do happen upon a wreck, as I've done in the past, bear in mind that salvage rights are difficult to execute for the paddler. Towing a vessel out of further harms way, for example, isn't exactly an option -- usually. I believe the Canada Shipping Act maintains some fairly strict protocols with respect to the authority of the Receiver of Wreck. Usually you only get reasonable recovery costs. The owner and/or insurance company still "own" the vessel. They have a year to claim on larger losses. With smaller finds, you may be given the vessel (or downed plane pieces, etc.) as payment lieu, for your recovery efforts/costs. I'm glad you are doing some research. Let us know what you find out if there is anything significant. I cover one of my salvage escapades which is taken from some PW posts, and kept on the PW Stories part of our subscriber's web site; I believe it is in the first part of "My Own Deep Trouble". In a nutshell, I attempted to recover some expensive electronic equipment from a yacht that went ashore in winter off the West Coast Trail. Those were days when it was roll or die, when I had muscles on my muscles, and a over exhuberance for adventure. My story, as written up, only gives a brief outline of the difficulties I had out there attempting to get to the vessel and my return a few days latter. Since that incident, I have learned that what I was attempting to do would be classed as "plunder" according to marine law. Didn't know I was a pirate wannabe, eh? My wife says I'd have to be a heck of a lot taller with a darker complexion. Ah, so know I know here fantasy. I've also come across other vessels over the years, fishing boats, smashed small row boats, torn inflatables, etc. I usually inspect, observe, report. You know, all that non-pirate behavior. Though I have been known to drink Rum on long trips. I've also seen pieces of vessels wedged high along west coast crevices, and fantasized about the waves that must have tossed these vessels like a match stick. Doug *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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