Section 249
Salvage payable for saving life, cargo or wreck.
The Merchant Shipping Act, 2025
About this Act
An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to merchant shipping to ensure compliance with India's obligation under the maritime treaties and international instruments to which India is a party and also to ensure the development of Indian shipping and efficient maintenance of Indian mercantile marine in a manner best suited to serve the national interest and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
(1) Where services are rendered by any master or salvor or any person other than the authority notified by the Central Government,—
(a) wholly or in part within the territorial waters of India in saving life from any vessel, or elsewhere in saving life from a vessel registered in India; or
(b) in assisting a vessel or saving the cargo or equipment of a vessel which is wrecked, stranded or in distress at any place to which this Chapter applies; or
(c) in saving any wreck, there shall be payable to such master or salvor or person by the owner of the vessel, cargo, equipment or wreck, a reasonable sum for salvage having regard to all the circumstances of the case.
(2) A master or person or salvor rendering salvage under clause (a) of sub-section (1) shall be entitled to a fair share of the payment for the salvage of the vessel or other property or preventing or minimising damage to the environment.
(3) Salvage in respect of the preservation of life when payable by the owner of the vessel shall be payable in priority to all other claims for salvage.
(a) wholly or in part within the territorial waters of India in saving life from any vessel, or elsewhere in saving life from a vessel registered in India; or
(b) in assisting a vessel or saving the cargo or equipment of a vessel which is wrecked, stranded or in distress at any place to which this Chapter applies; or
(c) in saving any wreck, there shall be payable to such master or salvor or person by the owner of the vessel, cargo, equipment or wreck, a reasonable sum for salvage having regard to all the circumstances of the case.
(2) A master or person or salvor rendering salvage under clause (a) of sub-section (1) shall be entitled to a fair share of the payment for the salvage of the vessel or other property or preventing or minimising damage to the environment.
(3) Salvage in respect of the preservation of life when payable by the owner of the vessel shall be payable in priority to all other claims for salvage.