Beachcombing

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 24 Jan 2007, 11:13

If what happened on the beach at Lime Bay in Devon were to happen on Porty beach, would you be tempted to become a "comber"?

I don't think I would but I can understand it. All those Towerbank parents walking their kids to school and there is loads of "free stuff" to be had by foraging on the beach.

The only similar local example I can think of is when I attended Duddingston Primary and a fruit lorry shed its load at the crossroads between Mouncatle Drive North and Duddingston Road. The kids from both schools hoovered the place clean at lunchtime.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 24 Jan 2007, 11:24

I've taken the odd bit of wood and suchlike but I'd be very reluctant to take motorbikes and other possessions that were washed up under the Lime Bay circumstances.

It's basically stealing isn't it?

How do you register a motorbike washed up on the beach?

The stuff in the containers belongs to somebody, not just multinational companies but some families relocating are having their personal possessions looted.

Mind you we all smile at remembering "Whisky Galore" on Eriskay

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 24 Jan 2007, 12:11

I'm sure I read somewhere though that in real life the whiskey thieves were arrested so it wasn't as funny as the film made it out to be!

Skeely · Post by **Skeely** » 24 Jan 2007, 12:12

I think I'd be very tempted by the motorbike. I'm sure it would be written off by the insurers after contact with the salt water anyway. And no, it's not stealing, it is perfectly legal (as far as I understand). What appears to be naked greed exhibited by the locals may be unsightly, but you can be sure that Lloyds and BMW do whatever they can within the law to maximise their profits. Taking what looks like personal belongings is another mater though.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 24 Jan 2007, 12:56

It is stealing, technically, if things are removed they're supposed to be reported to the Receiver Of Wrecks to be noted and catalogued. What happens than I don't know.
The police are now involved at Branscombe beach.
It would seem that people are opening containers and strewing the contents around making the cleanup and environmental impact much worse.
It was odd to note the clean up contractors walking along the beach in full contamination suits and looters just toddling down in their normal clothes.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/6290887.stm gives some details

Skeely · Post by **Skeely** » 24 Jan 2007, 13:02

SoupDragon wrote:It is stealing, technically, if things are removed they're supposed to be reported to the Receiver Of Wrecks to be noted and catalogued.

Yes, if you don't go through the reporting procedure it's not legal.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 24 Jan 2007, 13:08

Wonder how many of the folk on the beach have reported their finds before putting them on ebay. I'd be very dubious about buying what may be looted/ stolen goods, though apart from a slighly salty smell how could you tell where it came from?
Wonder how the conversation would go re reporting?
" Hello, Receiver of wrecks? Yeah I took these packets of nappies from the beach and I'm willing to return them. Well , yes ,the bairn has used them but they're otherwise ok......hello? "

arachnid · Post by **arachnid** » 24 Jan 2007, 21:15

I reckon it's definately stealing, many of these things belong to someone.
And I know that I would hate the very idea of other people going through and taking what belongs to me!! I couldn't do something like that as I ( and so should the locals) would be so guilt ridden and ashamed of doing such a thing.
If the police had close the beach straightaway, all these problems wouldn't have happened!!!

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 24 Jan 2007, 21:18

I think I'd take something if it was from a vast bulk order, like one of thousands of bottles of shampoo for example, definately not from personal luggage, and only if I was a local and would also be helping with the clean-up operation.

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 24 Jan 2007, 21:30

From something I read today it appears that folk have come from 100s of miles away so they def won't be clearing up the mess they are making!

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 25 Jan 2007, 00:23

From the way they are drifting I think our "golden balls " are soon to be washed up on the beach. Again.

Black Mamba · Post by **Black Mamba** » 25 Jan 2007, 17:00

I don't think of it as salvaging or beachcombing. I think of it as theft, pure and simple. The authorities should have intervened sooner than they did.

There was one poor woman talking on the news that she saw her own container of family possesion being forced open and her belonings being taken. Needles to say she was very upset, as some of the items were family heirlooms.