Prohibition of certain acts in respect of wreck
Section 240 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 deals with 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; The Act came into force on 15 Mar 2026.
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.
Section 240, The Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 (Act 24 of 2025).
Questions about Section 240
What does Section 240 of the Merchant Shipping Act deal with?
Section 240 of the Merchant Shipping Act is headed "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;
How do I find court cases under Section 240 of the Merchant Shipping Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Merchant Shipping Act 2025 240, section 240 Merchant Shipping Act 2025, section 240 of the Merchant Shipping Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.
When did Section 240 of the Merchant Shipping Act come into force?
Section 240 of the Merchant Shipping Act, cited as Merchant Shipping Act 2025 240, came into force on 15 Mar 2026, having been enacted on 18 Aug 2025. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 281. Offences and penalties5433 words
- 3. Definitions2558 words
- 89. Power to refer disputes between seafarers and employers to Tribunal770 words
- 91. Relief and maintenance of abandoned seafarers739 words
- 113. Power to make rules738 words
- 138. Power to take measures for containment of pollution and reporting of incidents667 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 17 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.