Thames Shipyard & Repair Co. v. United States

I agree with the remand of the plaintiffs claim against the Coast Guard for interference with communications between the commercial salvor and NORTHERN VOYAGER. I respectfully disagree, however, with the majority’s reasoning, its holding, and with the scope of the remand.

First, I am decidedly in disagreement with the majority’s recognition of authority by the Coast Guard to forcefully remove the master of a vessel17 from his ship, thus preventing him from continuing efforts to save it. With due respect, there is no authority in law, practice, or maritime tradition that validates such action…