Section 369: Duty of receiver where vessels in distress

(1)
Where any vessel is wrecked, stranded or in distress at any place on or near the coasts of Nigeria or any tidal water within Nigeria, the Receiver of Wreck shall, upon being made acquainted with the circumstances, forthwith proceed thereto, and upon his arrival, shall take the command of all persons present, and shall assign such duties and give such directions to each person as he thinks fit for the preservation of the vessel, and of the lives of the persons belonging to the vessel and of the cargo and apparel of the vessel.
(2)
The Receiver of Wreck shall not interfere between the master and the crew of the vessel in reference to the management thereof, unless he is requested to do so by the master.
(3)
Any person who wilfully disobeys any lawful directions of the Receiver of Wreck, commits an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine not less than one hundred thousand Naira.