US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

10 U.S.C. § 8702

Acquisition and transfer of vessels and equipment

(a)

Authority .—

The Secretary of the Navy may acquire or transfer for operation by private salvage companies such vessels and equipment as the Secretary considers necessary.
(b)

Agreement on Use .—

Before any salvage vessel or salvage gear is transferred by the Secretary to a private party, the private party must agree in writing with the Secretary that the vessel or gear will be used to support organized offshore salvage facilities for a period of as many years as the Secretary considers appropriate.
(c)

Reference to Authority To Advance Funds for Immediate Salvage Operations .—

section 3808(b) of this titleFor authority for the Secretary of the Navy to advance to private salvage companies such funds as the Secretary considers necessary to provide for the immediate financing of salvage operations, see .

Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title X, § 1015110 Stat. 424Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, § 807(d)(3)132 Stat. 1836Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, § 1834(i)(5)Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, § 1701(n)(2)135 Stat. 2145Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, § 1876(c)134 Stat. 4291Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, § 1701(n)(3)135 Stat. 2146(Added , , , § 7362; renumbered § 8702, , , ; amended , as added , , ; , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 116–283, § 1876(c)section 2307(g) of this titlePub. L. 117–81, § 1701(n)(3)Pub. L. 116–2832021—Subsec. (c). , which directed striking the first two words of the subsec. heading, striking the text of subsec. (c) and inserting the text of par. (2) of , and substituting “this subsection” for “this paragraph” in the second sentence thereof, was repealed by , effective as if included in title XVIII of .

Pub. L. 116–283, § 1834(i)(5)Pub. L. 117–81, § 1701(n)(2), as added by , which directed substitution of “section 3808(b)” for “section 2307(g)(2)” in section 8702(c), without specifying the Code title to be amended, was executed to subsec. (c) of this section to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Pub. L. 115–232section 7362 of this title2018— renumbered as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Pub. L. 117–81Pub. L. 116–283section 1701(a)(2) of Pub. L. 117–81section 3001 of this titleAmendment by applicable as if included in the enactment of title XVIII of as enacted, see , set out in a note preceding and note below.

Pub. L. 116–283section 1801(d) of Pub. L. 116–283section 3001 of this titleAmendment by effective , with additional provisions for delayed implementation and applicability of existing law, see , set out as a note preceding .

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

Pub. L. 115–232section 800 of Pub. L. 115–232section 3001 of this titleAmendment by effective , with provision for the coordination of amendments and special rule for certain redesignations, see , set out as a note preceding .