Salvors

Salvors are individuals or organizations that undertake salvage operations to recover ships, cargo, or other property from danger at sea or after maritime incidents. They may act on their own initiative or under contract, and compensation for successful salvage is typically determined by law or agreement, reflecting the value saved, the degree of danger, and the skill involved. Salvage work encompasses rescuing lives, stabilizing vessels, towing or refloating distressed ships, removing wrecks, and mitigating pollution or environmental damage.

Legal frameworks govern salvage through maritime law. The principle of no cure, no pay historically guided rewards, and modern regimes are codified in international conventions and national statutes. The most significant treaty in this area is the 1989 International Salvage Convention, which outlines when salvors are entitled to reward, and how it should be calculated, while national laws regulate licensing, liability, and enforcement.

Practitioners include professional salvage companies, naval divers, and specialized crews who operate equipment such as salvage tugs, heavy-lift vessels, pumps, dredging gear, and remotely operated or manned submersibles. Operations may involve risk to crews and the environment, requiring careful risk assessment, coordination with authorities, and adherence to safety and environmental standards.

Historically, salvors have played a key role in maritime safety and commerce by offering incentives to assist distressed vessels and by removing hazards from shipping routes. Modern salvage also increasingly addresses wreck removal and pollution response as part of broader maritime emergency response.