Section 240. Prohibition of certain acts in respect of wreck.

No person shall,--- (a) without the leave of the master, board or attempt to board any ship which is wrecked, stranded or in distress, unless the person acts by command of the Central Government; or (b) impede or hinder or attempt in any way to impede or hinder the saving of any ship stranded or in danger of being stranded or otherwise in distress in any area to which this Chapter applies or of any part of the cargo or equipment of the ship, or of any wreck; or (c) release any wreck or deface or obliterate any marks thereon; or (d) wrongfully carry away or remove any part of a ship stranded or in danger of being stranded or otherwise in distress or any part of the cargo or equipment of the ship or any wreck, in any area to which this Chapter applies.