Section 56

Where the Director takes possession of any underwater heritage, he shall, as soon as practicable, cause to be posted a list of the underwater heritage in any District Office within the district where the underwater heritage was discovered.

Any owner of the underwater heritage may, upon establishing his claim to the satisfaction of the Director, within one hundred and eighty days from the date the list under subsection (2) is posted, and upon paying the salvage fees and expenses due, be entitled to have the possession of the underwater heritage upon such terms or conditions as may be imposed by the Director.

An owner who fails to comply with any of the terms or conditions imposed under subsection (3) shall be guilty of an offence.

Where no owner establishes a claim within one hundred and eighty days, the underwater heritage shall be the absolute property of the State Government.

Unless otherwise directed by the Minister, the Director may preserve the underwater heritage in situ.