Water Rescue Law - Suinankyuugoho

This law stipulates matters related to the rescue of ships in distress, the recovery of drifting debris and sunken goods, and the rescue duties and authority of city and town mayors. Law No. 95 of 1899.

[1] Anyone who finds a ship in distress is obligated to report it, and the mayor of the city, town or village who first saw the ship is responsible for salvaging the ship. (1) They may assemble personnel, requisition transport means, and use land for the purpose of salvage. (2) They may search and seize property in distress, including for concealment, and may remove or detain persons obstructing the rescue or committing fraud. (3) They may store property in distress or the proceeds from its sale, accept reports of distress, and investigate the facts. Salvage expenses for those involved in the rescue are paid from the salvage fee paid by the ship's owner or captain to the mayor of the city, town or village, and if the rescue is unsuccessful or the salvage fee is insufficient, the national government shall cover the expenses.

[2] After receiving driftwood or sunken objects, the mayor of the city, town or village shall announce the items for delivery, and if the owner is still unknown after six months, the mayor shall hand them over to the finder after receiving the expenses for announcement, removal and storage. If the finder does not claim the items, the mayor shall auction them off, pay the expenses from the proceeds, and pay the remaining amount into the national treasury, with the national government providing a subsidy if necessary. Police officers shall assist the mayor in carrying out rescue work, and act on his behalf if necessary.

[Shintani Fumio]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

遭難船舶の救護、漂流物および沈没品の拾得に関すること、ならびに市町村長の救護義務と権限などを定めた法律。明治32年法律第95号。

〔1〕遭難船舶の発見者に通報の義務を課し、当該船舶の救護事務は最初に認知した市町村長が行う。(1)救護のため人の招集、輸送手段の徴用、土地の使用をすることができる。(2)遭難物件の隠匿等の捜索および押収、救護妨害者、不正行為者の退去または拘束等を行うことができる。(3)救護物件またはその売却代金の保管、遭難報告の受理および事実の調査を行うことができる。救護関係者への救護費用は、船舶所有者または船長から市町村長に納付した救護費用から支払い、救護が不成功の場合または救護費用が不足するときは国が支弁する。

〔2〕市町村長は漂流物、沈没物を受領のうえ、引渡しのため公告し、6か月経過後も所有者が不明のときは、公告、取除きおよび保管等の費用を受領して拾得者に引き渡す。拾得者が請求しないときは、公売して、その代金より諸費用を支払い、残余金は国庫に納入し、不足のときは国が補助する。警察官は市町村長を助けて救護事務にあたり、必要により代行する。

［新谷文雄］

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