Without getting into marine law, basically a salvor may retrieve abandon material and hold it. The salvor must then allow the rightful owner a chance to pay reasonable salvage fees to regain the property. Often the fees are greater than the value and then the salvor may sell or use what he has retrieved.


If you find a Hobie adrift and save it, you are entitled to the expense involved in the salvage and a reasonable profit. That could be more than the value of the boat. You would still need a court order to obtain clear title.