In a message dated 7/2/2008 1:34:33 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, rick@skyko.com writes: Wouldn't the tow operater be in your employment if you pay them for a tow, thus making you the owner the person with rights to the "salvage"? I would think any lawyer worth his salt could argue something like that at any rate. Do you have a link to a case where this tow service actually won a boat they had been paid by the owner to tow? Also, in the other case, what would prevent someone from untying the dock lines on any particular boat they wish to *salvage* and waiting for it to drift out? I don't think that practice would be much out of the reach for someone who is willing to steal a boat via salvage anyway. I don't have any current links on salvage but plenty of case history was available online several yrs ago when I researched it. Google "Sea Tow wins salvage claim" if you need a place to start. Bill P **************Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for fuel-efficient used cars. (http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut00050000000007)