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HomeHarbors and Navigation CodeDiv. 3Ch. 3Art. 1§ 520 Sheriff'S Wrecked Property Notice

§ 520 Sheriff'S Wrecked Property Notice

Harbors and Navigation Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 520 Sheriff'S Wrecked Property Notice

This law says that when a sheriff gets hold of any wrecked property, they must put a detailed notice about it in a newspaper for at least two weeks.

Key Takeaways

  • •The sheriff must publish a notice as soon as he gets wrecked property.
  • •The notice must run for at least two weeks in one or more state newspapers.
  • •The notice must list a detailed description of every item, where it is, its condition, the ship’s name, and the names of the ship’s master and cargo master.

Example

A cargo ship runs aground and some of its crates wash up on a beach. The sheriff takes the crates into his custody.

The sheriff has to publish a notice in the local paper for two weeks that describes each crate, says where the crates are now, what condition they are in, the name of the ship, and the names of the ship's captain and cargo master.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 520 Sheriff'S Wrecked Property Notice

Every sheriff into whose possession any wrecked property comes, shall forthwith cause to be published for at least two weeks in succession, in one or more of the newspapers printed in this State, a notice directed to all persons interested. The notice shall contain a minute description of the property, and of every bale, box, case, piece, or parcel, and the marks, brands, letters, and figures on each. It shall state: (a) Where the property then is and its actual condition. (b) The name, if known, of the vessel from which it came. (c) The names of its master and super-cargo. (d) The place where the vessel then is, and its actual condition. (Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 368.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

wrecked propertysheriffnoticeminute descriptionvesselmastersuper-cargo

Related Statutes

  • § 512 Sheriff Handling Abandoned Wrecks
  • § 281 Vessel Collision Avoidance Rules
  • § 510 Sheriff'S Coastal Rescue Duties
  • § 511 Salvage Claims On Wrecks
  • § 513 Sale Of Perishable Wrecked Property

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Harbors and Navigation Code. Section 520.
View Official Source