Scavengers heading to the Devon coast in the hope of picking up goods from the beached MSC Napoliship were warned today that they could end up in court.
Dozens of people flocked to beaches close to the container vessel where containers have washed ashore, scattering a bizarre array of goods along the shoreline.
The huge sea vessel was carrying goods as diverse as barrels of wine, BMW car parts, haircare products and even nappies.
Onlookers could be seen today picking over the spilled contents of bright yellow containers at Branscombe Beach, near Seaton. One enterprising group used a tractor to carry a new BMW motorbike, still partially wrapped in cardboard, from one beach.
Sophia Exelby of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), who is the "receiver of wreck", said those who fail to report any goods could be fined up to £2,500.
She said: "The legal position is that anything which is washed ashore is 'wreck' and that still belongs to the wreck owner. If anybody has already made recoveries from the wreck they are obliged by law to report to the recoverer of wreck.
"Failing to do so is a criminal offence, effectively they are stealing from the owners. The fine is up to £2,500 per offence."
Police officers and coastguard officials are patrolling the shoreline today, and cordons have been put up around some beached containers.
The MCA said the ship's owners have also appointed a private security company to guard the beached containers. A contractor has been appointed to gather spilled containers, and work is expected to begin later today.
PA