Marine Salvage Information For Recreational Boaters

Marine Salvage is one of the most misunderstood concepts pertaining to the "law of the sea". This section of our site is dedicated to exploding the myths and misconceptions that still persist in the minds of much of the boating public concerning the facts of the law. By exploring the sub-sections here, we think you will gain a good working knowledge of the issues involved in salvage law and become better prepared should you ever need to avail yourself of salvage services.

In Peril: A Firsthand Experience

The rescue of the tug J.A. Orgeron, by the oil tanker Cherry Valley made history in 1994 for many reasons. The Orgeron was caught by Tropical Storm Gordon off the east coast of Florida when she lost both main engines. Sixty-knot gusts were pushing the tug and its barge rapidly toward the coast when the Captain called for help. The Cherry Valley went to see if they could assist. While maneuvering at night, in 20-foot seas next to shoal water, the Cherry Valley rescued the crew, tug, and barge with its cargo intact. The cargo, a $50 million liquid fuel cell for NASA's space shuttle, quickly changed the rescue into a salvage case. Captain Strong and the crew received the American Merchant Marine Seamanship Trophy for their actions and the largest salvage award in United States maritime history.

| full court decision (pdf format) |

Safe/Sea Salvage Operations

This section contains examples of the many salvage operations that Safe/Sea has handled over the past several years. Pictures are included where possible, and, in the cases where the settlement was adjudicated, the full text of the court or arbitrator's decision is included.

| Safe/Sea Salvage Cases |

Marine Salvage & Recreational Boaters: Modern Concepts & Misconceptions

This is an article that was written by noted Admiralty attorney Andrew Anderson of Miami and published in the University of San Francisco Law Review. It is quite extensive, and specifically deals with the salvage issues impacting recreational boaters.

| article |

Salcon 1989

This is the complete text of the International Convention on Salvage 1989, an international treaty that sets down the general principles of marine salvage in black and white. The United States is a signatory of this treaty and it has been ratified by the U.S. Senate, giving it the effect of statutory U.S. Federal Law.

| view html |

| download pdf (116k) |