Salvage

A person other than the master, mate, or a seaman thereof, who rescues a ship, her appurtenances, or cargo, from danger, is entitled to a reasonable compensation therefor, to be paid out of the property saved. He has a lien for such claim, which is regulated by Part 2 of this Title; but no claim for salvage, as such, can accrue against any vessel, or her freight, or cargo, in favor of the owners, officers, or crew of another vessel belonging to the same owners; but the actual cost at the time of the services rendered by one such vessel to another, when in distress, is payable through a general average contribution on the property saved.