That's a carefully crafted statement there, but methinks its crafted to mislead, since UK law must be the same as international including salvage.
Salvage is not theft, the salvage fee is 10-25% of the value of the goods. 30% for environmental damage. An arbiter decides this, its not a nice gift for your time that's some sort of nice gesture.
Salvage of flotsam is legal.
You explained a penalty for failing to report the goods to the receiver of the wreck (a government body) within a reasonable time as if it was theft, but its not. That will be the same in the UK.
[Added]
Yes it is the same, not theft. It's a violation of 237 (2) of the 1995 Merchant Shipping Act. A £2500 fine max and forfeit the salvage right.
"237 Provisions as respects cargo, etc.
(1)Where a vessel is wrecked, stranded, or in distress at any place on or near the coasts of the United Kingdom or any tidal water within United Kingdom waters, any cargo or other articles belonging to or separated from the vessel which are washed on shore or otherwise lost or taken from the vessel shall be delivered to the receiver.
(2)If any person (whether the owner or not)—
(a)conceals or keeps possession of any such cargo or article, or
(b)refuses to deliver any such cargo or article to the receiver or to any person authorised by the receiver to require delivery, he shall be liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale."
Biting the hand that feeds IT
