46 U.S.C. § 80104 - U.S. Code - Unannotated Title 46. Shipping § 80104. Salvaging operations by foreign vessels

(a) Prohibition.--Except as provided in this section or section 80105 of this title, a foreign vessel may not, under penalty of forfeiture, engage in salvaging operations on the Atlantic or Pacific coast of the United States, in any portion of the Great Lakes or their connecting or tributary waters, including any portion of the Saint Lawrence River through which the international boundary line extends, or in territorial waters of the United States on the Gulf of Mexico.

(b) When suitable vessel not available.--The Secretary of Homeland Security may authorize a foreign vessel to engage in salvaging operations in a particular locality if, on investigation, the Secretary is satisfied that there is not available in that locality a suitable vessel that is--

(c) Operations authorized by treaty.--This section does not prohibit or restrict assistance to vessels or salvaging operations authorized by treaty, including--