That might be the case if a boat were broken up and unidentifiable..

Now-adays I would be cautious about trouching a ship wreck on the beach. You
could end up liable for any contamination or even the complete and total
removal of the vessel.

I've helped salvage a couple grounded or sunken vessels in So. Calif. and in
each instance we didn't start until the owner and insurance had given us a
right to salvage which assign the responsibility exclusively to us, to the
exclusion of others. We also assumed the all liability and the port
authority wouldn't allow us to proceed without a salvage plan and bond or
insurance.

18 months ago I came upon a nice wooden sail boat adrift off Port Townsend,
WA. I took it in tow the anchorage I was headed for, contacted all the local
authorities and finally was informed that I should tie it to a dock a Port
Hadlock.. No! I shouldn't set it adrift again. Once I took it in tow, I
became responsible for it. Turned out that it belonged to the Wooden Boat
Society. I got a big thank you and free tee shirt for my efforts.

--
My opinion and experience. FWIW

Steve
s/v Good Intentions