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?Abandoned Shipwreck Act of 1987? (ASA). Pursuant to that statute, the United States claims title to any abandoned shipwreck that is embedded in the submerged lands of a state or in corralline formations on the submerged lands of a state, and in some other circumstances. Such title is then transferred to the state unless the property is found on the public lands of the United States, in which case the United States retains title. Importantly, the nder of an abandoned shipwreck to which the ASA applies cannot seek a declaration of ownership under the law of nds or a salvage award under the law of salvage. In its 25 year history there have been a number of court cases in which states or the federal government invoked the ASA, and generally courts have strictly interpreted the statutory language. We cannot in retrospect over the past 25 years tell how many searches and recoveries, or how valuable they might have been, have simply not been undertaken because of the ASA. Surely the ASA, like the UNESCO treaty, is not furthering the goal of treasure salvage law to encourage salvage operations that will return lost property to economic use. CONCLUSION Science and technology have opened up the world of treasure salvage to persons willing to take the economic and physical risks involved in searching for and recovering abandoned shipwrecks and sunken treasure. The law has developed through the courts to encourage this process. Meanwhile, treaties and legislation have been adopted that will discourage this good conduct, possibly leaving great wealth and knowledge that could be gleaned from recovered shipwrecks, treasure, and artifacts to become completely lost to the ages.New Orleans(504) 780-8100 ? Fax (504) 780-8200Norfolk(757) 545-0100 ? Fax (757) 545-8004Houston(281) 452-5887 ? Fax (281) 452-9682www.mcdonoughmarine.comwww.mcdonoughmarine.comLARGEST RENTAL FLEET OF SPUD, DECK AND MATERIAL BARGESBARGES 60 TO 400 LENGTHBARGES 60 TO 400 LENGTH? 16 Fleeting locations inland rivers, Gulf, East and West Coast ? Inland and Ocean towing services LARGEST RENTAL FLEET OF SPUD, DECK AND MATERIAL BARGESMarine Sanitation SystemsWastewater Treatment Systems Wastewater Treatment Systems for Commercial and Marine Applica ? onsfor Commercial and Marine Applica ? onsSea Horse Systems, LLC Sea Horse Systems, LLC PO Box 53241 PO Box 53241 Lafayette, LA 70505-3241 Lafayette, LA 70505-3241 phone: 337-984-6130 phone: 337-984-6130 fax: 337-456-3099 fax: 337-456-3099 www.seahorsesys.com www.seahorsesys.com info@seahorsesys.com info@seahorsesys.com Sea Horse Sea Horse has introduced the has introduced the only roll molded plastic tank only roll molded plastic tank designed speci À cally for the designed speci À cally for the tug and push boat user. The tug and push boat user. The unit is lightweight, À ts through unit is lightweight, À ts through most doorways, and comes as most doorways, and comes as a complete package that can be a complete package that can be handled by two people for easy handled by two people for easy replacement of older units. This replacement of older units. This new unit has all of the industrial new unit has all of the industrial components found on the steel components found on the steel models but with the advantage models but with the advantage of non-rust proof plastic tanks. of non-rust proof plastic tanks. CMP SeriesSeahorse MN Apr12.indd 13/28/2012 1:42:12 PMwww.marinelink.com