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Editor: Rod Sullivan
Profession: Maritime Attorney

Category: Safety at Sea

If you rescue someone on the high tomorrow, are you entitled to a reward? It depends on what you rescue.

When property is lost at sea and rescued by another, the rescuer is entitled to claim a salvage award on the salved property. There is no "life salvage." All mariners have a duty to save the lives of others in peril without expectation of reward. Consequently salvage law applies only to the saving of property.

In short, if you save people at sea, you might also want to try to save their boat as well. While you'll get your reward in heaven for rescuing the people, your reward for rescuing the boat will be more immediate.