The law of salvage is a principle of maritime law whereby any person who helps recover another person's ship or cargo in peril at sea is entitled to a reward commensurate with the value of the property saved.
Maritime law is inherently international, and although salvage laws vary from one country to another, generally there are established conditions to be met to allow a claim of salvage.[1] The vessel must be in peril, either immediate or forthcoming; the "salvor" must be acting voluntarily and under no pre-existing contract; and some life or property must be successfully saved. A modern addition rewards a salvor for the prevention of oil spills and environmental damage.
- ^ A standard definition is that "salvage is a voluntary successful service to save maritime property in danger at sea".