nauticaltalk asks:

-If you find a boat drifting in the ocean with no one board, is it finders
keepers? What if you were a professional salvager?-

Bilge- I read your question and relayed it to our Chief Mate. Either one of two
things happen...you get it back to port and claim salvage.

If no one disputes your claim, then it's your boat.

If the insurers or P&I club dispute the claim, then usually the cargo and the
boat get sold at auction and you get paid the salvage cut first in line.

As I'm sure you're aware, this is why the Captain is habitually the last off a
sinking ship, once the Captain is gone, the vessel is no longer under the
owners' control. And if, say, the dishwasher and the firemen manage to bring it
into a port, then they get to retire.


For the authoritative word on the matter, check the CFRs.

Regards;


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