How does the law on flotsa(u)m and jetsa(u)m work?

Question

I always thought that if you found anything on the beach or the side of rivers -provided it is on public land- it is yours to keep. Is this so?

Answer 1

Traditionally, flotsam and jetsam are words that describe goods of potential value that have been thrown into the ocean. There is a technical difference between the two: jetsam has been voluntarily cast into the sea (jettisoned) by the crew of a ship, usually in order to lighten it in an emergency; while flotsam describes goods that are floating on the water without having been thrown in deliberately, often after a shipwreck.
Legally jetsam is the property of the landowner where the sea washes it up and NOT the person who finds it. Flotsam belongs to the owner or salvager of the ship from which it was lost. Should flotsam wash ashore the land-owner must submit it for an inquest by the local coroner.
The question of ownership of the sea-shore both above and below the limits of the tide is a complex one and technically beachcombing is theft.

Answer 2

This law has gone the way of those regulating deceitful sales practices - they no longer exist (apart from in the dusty archive books of valid current laws). They are not enforced, not enforcable.

Plus, the policeman today said that they'd rather things were taken away by people rather than the councils having to organise collection after they've been in the sea again and spilled bits of junk all over.

Answer 3

Look up Droits of the Admiralty

It gives all the rules

Answer 4

Apparently not. It would appear that you are free to take it, but you must declare what you've taken to allow those with salvage rights to recover the items, if they wish to do so.

Answer 5

Unless you have salvage rights at sea, on land its yours to keep.

Answer 6

Yes it is but you're supposed to report to the government dept that registers wrecks and their losses.