USC Chapter 801

in effect

46 U.S.C. § 80101 Vessel stranded on foreign coast

(a) Duties of Consular Officer.—When a vessel of the United States is stranded on a coast of a foreign country, the consular officer in that country shall take proper measures, to the extent the laws of that country allow, to—(1) save and secure the vessel and property on the vessel; and (2) prepare an inventory of the property that is saved. (b) Delivery to Owner.—After deducting the expenses, the consular officer shall deliver the property, with an inventory, to the owner of the property. (c) Limitation on Taking Possession.—A consular officer may not take possession of property under this section when the owner, master, or consignee is present or able to take possession of the property.

46 U.S.C. § 80103 Property on Florida coast to be taken to port of entry

(a) In General.—Property taken from a wreck, the sea, or a key or shoal, on the coast of Florida and within the jurisdiction of the United States, shall be brought to a port of entry of the United States. (b) Seizure and Forfeiture.—A vessel transporting property described in subsection (a) to a foreign port may be seized by, and forfeited to, the United States Government. A forfeiture under this subsection accrues half to the informer and half to the Government.

46 U.S.C. § 80104 Salvaging operations by foreign vessels

(a) Prohibition.—Except as provided in this section or section 80105 of this title, a foreign vessel may not, under penalty of forfeiture, engage in salvaging operations on the Atlantic or Pacific coast of the United States, in any portion of the Great Lakes or their connecting or tributary waters, including any portion of the Saint Lawrence River through which the international boundary line extends, or in territorial waters of the United States on the Gulf of Mexico. (b) When Suitable Vessel Not Available.—The Secretary of Homeland Security may authorize a foreign vessel to engage in salvaging operations in a particular locality if, on investigation, the Secretary is satisfied that there is not available in that locality a suitable vessel that is—(1) owned only by citizens of the United States (including a Bowaters corporation under section 12118 of this title); and (2) documented under chapter 121 of this title or numbered under chapter 123 of this title. (c) Operations Authorized by Treaty.—This section does not prohibit or restrict assistance to vessels or salvaging operations authorized by treaty, including—(1) article II of the Treaty between the United States and Great Britain concerning reciprocal rights for United States and Canada in the conveyance of prisoners and wrecking and salvage, signed at Washington, May 18, 1908 (35 Stat. 2036); or (2) the Treaty between the United States of America and Mexico to facilitate assistance to and salvage of vessels in territorial waters, signed at Mexico City, June 13, 1935 (49 Stat. 3359).

46 U.S.C. § 80105 Canadian vessels aiding vessels in United States waters

(a) In General.—Canadian vessels and wrecking equipment may give aid to Canadian or other vessels and property wrecked, disabled, or in distress in the waters of the United States contiguous to Canada, including—(1) the canal and improvement of the waters between Lake Erie and Lake Huron; and (2) the Saint Marys River and canal. (b) Reciprocity.—This section does not apply after the President proclaims that privileges reciprocal to those under subsection (a) have been withdrawn or rendered inoperative by the Government of Canada.

46 U.S.C. § 80106 International agreement on derelicts

The President may make an international agreement with other governments interested in the navigation of the North Atlantic Ocean, providing for the reporting, marking, and removal of dangerous wrecks, derelicts, and other menaces to navigation outside the coast waters of the countries bordering the North Atlantic Ocean.

46 U.S.C. § 80107 Salvors of life to share in remuneration

(a) Entitlement of Salvors.—A salvor of human life, who gave aid following an accident giving rise to salvage, is entitled to a fair share of the payment awarded to the salvor for salvaging the vessel or other property or preventing or minimizing damage to the environment. (b) Common Ownership of Vessels.—The right to remuneration for aid or salvage services is not affected by common ownership of the vessels giving and receiving the aid or salvage services. (c) Time Limit on Bringing Actions.—A civil action to recover remuneration for giving aid or salvage services must be brought within 2 years after the date the aid or salvage services were given, unless the court in which the action is brought is satisfied that during that 2-year period there had not been a reasonable opportunity to seize the aided or salvaged vessel within the jurisdiction of the court or within the territorial waters of the country of the plaintiff’s residence or principal place of business. (d) Nonapplication.—This section does not apply to a vessel of war or a vessel owned by the United States Government appropriated only to a public service.