Marine Link
Thursday, February 27, 2025

Salvage

Marine salvage is the process of rescuing a ship, its cargo, or other property from peril. Salvage encompasses rescue towing, putting out fires, patching or repairing a ship, refloating a sunken or grounded vessel, moving a disabled vessel in order to clear navigation channels, and raising sunken ships or their cargo. Equipment involved in salvage operations may include cranes, floating dry docks, and support vessels (such as tugboats). Commercial divers may be called upon to perform underwater tasks and monitor progress below the surface.

Protecting the marine environment from pollution from cargoes such as oil or other contaminants is often an important part of salvage activities. Usually the vessel or valuable parts of the vessel or its cargo may be recovered for its resale value, or for scrap. The vast majority of salvage operations are contracted to qualified seamen and engineers working as professional salvors. Usually, contracted agents expect no financial reward unless the salvage operation is at least partially successful.

If salvage is not performed under a contract, then the rescuer must act voluntarily and aside from any legal duty to act, other than the acknowledged duty to render assistance to those in peril at sea or to attend after a collision. If the owner or the owner’s agent is still on the ship, they can refuse offers of assistance. A vessel found entirely deserted or abandoned without hope or intention of recovery is considered derelict and is fair game for anyone who comes across it. It is not true, however, that the rescuer or salvor automatically becomes the owner of the property. The owner always has the option to reclaim his property by paying an appropriate reward.

Tags: Salvage

Source: USACE

Large Wreckage Removed from Potomac River

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Baltimore District, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and U.S.

Bayesian (File photo: Perini Navi)

Bayesian's Mast to be Removed Before Recovery

The superyacht that sank off Sicily last year, killing British tech tycoon Mike Lynch…

Source: NTSB

NTSB Studies Flight Data from Washington Plane Crash

The NTSB, in coordination with the U.S. Navy Supervisor of Salvage, has recovered the aft fuselage…

Aerial view of recovery operation (Credit: Dong Fang Offshore)

Sulmara Assists Fuel Recovery Op from Typhoon-Struck Cargo Ship

Scottish subsea specialist Sulmara has supported a major fuel recovery operation…

WSP-Led Partnership Secures Baltimore Bridge Rebuilding Contract

Maryland Transportation Authority selected Bridging Maryland Partnership as its general…

Tanker hit by Houthis salvaged, Red Sea disaster averted

A risky operation to salvage an oil tanker attacked by Houthi militants in the Red…

Cargo Ship Sinking off Egypt’s Red Sea Coast

Egyptian authorities are scrambling to salvage the VSG Glory, a cargo ship that began…

The Suez Canal Salvage Tugs are based on Kongsberg Maritime’s UT 722 CDT design. Photo: Kongsberg Maritime

Glamox Inks Deal for Suez Canal Salvage Vessels

Glamox won a contract from Alexandria Shipyard in Egypt to light two new salvage…

(Credit: Damen)

Multraship Bolsters Fleet with Brand New Tug

Multraship Towage & Salvage has christened its newest tug, MULTRATUG 36, at its home…

Manawanui listing on the reef, October 6. (Photo: Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority)

Manawanui Sinking: Speedy Cleanup Will Be Crucial, But Many Challenges Ahead

Speed will be of the essence as salvage crews attempt to stop fuel leaking from the…

Source: Samoa Police, Prisons & Corrections Services (Facebook)

New Zealand Navy Ship Runs Aground and Sinks

A Royal New Zealand Navy vessel ran aground and sank off Samoa but all 75 crew and…

(Photo: European Union Naval Force - Operation Aspides)

Salvors Begin Towing Stricken Tanker Sounion in Race to Avert Catastrophic Oil Spill

The operation has started to tow a Greek-registered oil tanker stranded in the Red…

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