Merchant Shipping Act (Cap. 234), article 339

339. Where any vessel is sunk, stranded or abandoned on or near the coasts within the terri torial jurisdiction of Malta in such manner as in the opinion of the Minister to be, or to be likely to become, an obstruction or danger to navigation, the Minister ma y - M E R C H A N T S H I P P I N G [CAP. 234. 161 (a) take possession of, and raise, remove or destroy the whole or any part of the vessel; (b) light or buoy any such vessel or part until the raising, removal or destruction thereof; (c) sell, in such manner as he thinks fit, any vessel or part so raised or removed, and also any property recovered in the exercise of the powers under this article, and out of the proceeds of the sale reimburse himself for the expenses incurred by him in relation thereto under this article, and the Minister shall hold the surplus, if any, of the proceeds for the benefit of the persons entitled thereto: Provided that a sale shall not (except in the case of property which is of a perishable nature, or which would deteriorate in value by delay) be made under this ar ticle unless at least seven clea r days’ notice of the intended sal e has been given by advertiseme nt in at least two local newspapers: Provided further that at any time before any property is sold under this article, the owner th ereof shall be entitled to have the same delivered to him on payment to the Minister of the fair ma rket value thereof to be ascertained by agreement between the Minist er and the owner, or failing such agreement by some person to be named for the purpose by agreement between the Minister and the owner or by the Civil Court, First Hall, on an application by t he Minister or the owner, and the sum paid to the Minister as the value of the property under this provision shall, for the purposes of this article, be deemed to be the p roceeds of sale of that property. Extent of power of removal.