Power to pass over adjoining land to assist ship in distress

(1) Whenever any such accident occurs to any ship or boat, all persons may, for the purpose of rendering assistance to such ship or boat, or saving the lives of the persons on board it, or the cargo or apparel thereof, unless there is some public road equally convenient, pass and re-pass either with or without vehicles, over any adjoining lands, without being subject to interruption by the owner or occupier, so that they do as little damage as possible, and may also on the like condition, deposit on such lands any cargo or other article recovered from such ship or boat. (2) All damage sustained by any owner or occupier in consequence of any such passing or re-passing or deposit as aforesaid shall be a charge on the ship, boat, cargo or articles in respect of or by which such damage was occasioned, and shall, in default of payment, be recoverable in the same manner as salvage is recoverable and the amount payable in respect thereof, if disputed, shall be determined in the same manner as the amount of salvage is determinable.