Maritime salvage is the process of rescuing a ship, its cargo, and crew from danger at sea. This can involve situations like:
- Refloating a grounded ship
- Towing a disabled vessel
- Patching up a hull leak
- Fighting fires onboard
- Preventing environmental damage from spills
Salvage operations are complex and often risky endeavors. Salvage companies have specialized equipment and highly trained personnel to tackle these challenges.
There's also a legal aspect to maritime salvage. Salvors who successfully recover a ship or cargo in peril are entitled to compensation based on the value of the property saved. This is to encourage people to help those in need at sea and reflects the risks involved.