Commentary on Sections Section 255C – Locating and marking wrecks
12.This new section applies where an accident occurs in the United Kingdom’s Convention area. This new section imposes a duty on the Secretary of State to ensure that the United Kingdom complies with its obligations under Articles 7 (location) and 8 (marking) of the ICRW. In discharging this duty, the Secretary of State may direct a general lighthouse authority, harbour authority or conservancy authority to take specified steps to locate and mark the wreck. Such a direction must be complied with.
13.This new section provides that for the purposes of new section 255C(3) and (4) and, where a direction is given, section 253 of the Act, a general lighthouse authority’s area will include any area that is both adjacent to the area specified in relation to the authority under section 193(1) of the Act and within the United Kingdom’s Convention area.
14.This new section specifies that any direction may require an authority to exercise or not exercise a power granted it under section 252 or 253.