Section 32 — Crimes Act 1900 (NSW)

Impeding endeavours to escape shipwreck

Whosoever—
intentionally or recklessly prevents or impedes any person on board of, or having quitted, any ship or vessel in distress, or wrecked, stranded, or cast on shore, in his or her endeavour to save his or her life, or
intentionally or recklessly prevents or impedes any person in his or her endeavour to save the life of such first-mentioned person,
shall be liable to imprisonment for 25 years.

Sourced from the New South Wales Legislation website at 8 June 2026. For the latest information on New South Wales Government legislation please go to https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au. Verify the current text against the official source before relying on it.

Related sections

s 31A — Suicide and attempt to commit suicide
s 31B — Survivor of suicide pact
s 31C — Aiding etc suicide
s 33 — Wounding or grievous bodily harm with intent
s 33A — Discharging firearm etc with intent
s 33B — Use or possession of weapon to resist arrest etc

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