Section 66
Ownership of underwater cultural heritage found during survey, salvage or excavation
(1)
Any underwater cultural heritage discovered during any survey, salvage or excavation works shall vest in the Commissioner and shall be listed in the Register.
(2)
Where the Commissioner takes possession of any underwater cultural heritage, he shall within forty-eight hours cause to be posted a list of the underwater cultural heritage in any port office within the district where the underwater cultural heritage was discovered.
(3)
Any owner of the underwater cultural heritage may, upon establishing his claim to the satisfaction of the Commissioner, within one year from the time at which the underwater cultural heritage came into the possession of the Commissioner, and upon paying the salvage fees and expenses due, be entitled to have the possession of the underwater cultural heritage upon such terms and conditions as may be imposed by the Commissioner.
(4)
An owner who fails to comply with any of the terms and conditions imposed under subsection (3) commits an offence.
(5)
Where no owner establishes a claim within one year, the underwater cultural heritage shall be the absolute property of the
Federal Government.
(6)
Unless otherwise directed by the Minister, the Commissioner may preserve the underwater cultural heritage in situ.