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Shopping: Bargain Hunters on UK beeches
in 2007
and today
so if you need some untreated timber soaked in seawater do not forget to visit Kent this winter as they have a good deal on the offer right now... only while the stocks last.
Napoli deadline looms for scavengers
19/02/2007 16:47
Scavengers who have been scouring the south west coast for items washed ashore from the stricken MSC Napoli have until Thursday to register their finds.
While some of the containers are believed to contain hazardous materials, many of those washed ashore contain items such as office supplies, electrical appliances, vegetables and expensive motorbikes.
And while the police and coastal authorities have made every effort to stop looters raiding beaches in the hope of coming away with a bargain, thousands of pounds worth of goods have been taken by beachcombers since the ship ran into trouble nearly a month ago.
But now those who have removed items from the beaches, including office supplies and BMW bikes, must declare them or face criminal charges.
The Merchant Shipping Act requires scavengers to declare their finds or risk a £2,500 fine and paying the owner double the value of the item.
However, if the item is declared and the owner does not request it back, the finder is entitled to keep hold of it.
While this won't be very exciting news for those who came away from the beaches of the south west with office supplies and nappies, those who recovered one of 17 BMW bikes washed ashore will be eager to ensure that they give themselves every opportunity of keeping their loot.
19/02/2007 16:47
Scavengers who have been scouring the south west coast for items washed ashore from the stricken MSC Napoli have until Thursday to register their finds.
While some of the containers are believed to contain hazardous materials, many of those washed ashore contain items such as office supplies, electrical appliances, vegetables and expensive motorbikes.
And while the police and coastal authorities have made every effort to stop looters raiding beaches in the hope of coming away with a bargain, thousands of pounds worth of goods have been taken by beachcombers since the ship ran into trouble nearly a month ago.
But now those who have removed items from the beaches, including office supplies and BMW bikes, must declare them or face criminal charges.
The Merchant Shipping Act requires scavengers to declare their finds or risk a £2,500 fine and paying the owner double the value of the item.
However, if the item is declared and the owner does not request it back, the finder is entitled to keep hold of it.
While this won't be very exciting news for those who came away from the beaches of the south west with office supplies and nappies, those who recovered one of 17 BMW bikes washed ashore will be eager to ensure that they give themselves every opportunity of keeping their loot.
Despite warnings from the authorities to stay away, beachcombers continue to load up cars, vans and trailers today with the sodden wood. But so far there has not been a repeat of chaotic scenes of scavenging after the Napoli ran aground off the south-west coast of England in 2007. The bulk of the beached wood is being recovered by contractors appointed by insurers of the ship.
A spokeswoman for Kent police pointed out that scavenging for the wood was not illegal if reported to the Receiver of Wreck within 28 days.
"A lot of people have filled out forms," a spokeswoman for the coastguard said. No arrests have been made.
The Receiver of Wreck, Alison Kentuck, said: "The police and coastguard have been going along the beach giving out reporting forms so anyone walking up the beach making recoveries knows exactly what they should be doing.
"The timber is not suitable for building materials, it is saturated with salt water."
In her annual report, published today, Kentuck admits various uses have been found for recovered timber washed up in Worthing from the stricken Greek-registered Ice Prince, which was abandoned by its crew in a storm last January.
The report said: "Although a cargo of untreated timber (soaked with seawater and shredded by the shingle beaches of the south coast) is neither as interesting or valuable as the BMW motorbikes, oak wine barrels and L'Oreal cosmetics that came ashore from the Napoli a year previously, this giant 'woodslick' still excited a considerable amount of national media interest and Worthing enjoyed a winter tourist boom."
A spokeswoman for Kent police pointed out that scavenging for the wood was not illegal if reported to the Receiver of Wreck within 28 days.
"A lot of people have filled out forms," a spokeswoman for the coastguard said. No arrests have been made.
The Receiver of Wreck, Alison Kentuck, said: "The police and coastguard have been going along the beach giving out reporting forms so anyone walking up the beach making recoveries knows exactly what they should be doing.
"The timber is not suitable for building materials, it is saturated with salt water."
In her annual report, published today, Kentuck admits various uses have been found for recovered timber washed up in Worthing from the stricken Greek-registered Ice Prince, which was abandoned by its crew in a storm last January.
The report said: "Although a cargo of untreated timber (soaked with seawater and shredded by the shingle beaches of the south coast) is neither as interesting or valuable as the BMW motorbikes, oak wine barrels and L'Oreal cosmetics that came ashore from the Napoli a year previously, this giant 'woodslick' still excited a considerable amount of national media interest and Worthing enjoyed a winter tourist boom."