A prompt and effective response to ship casualties can prevent pollution and economic disruption of ports and waterways. This report of the Committee on Marine Salvage Issues of the National Research Council assesses the adequacy of marine salvage in the United States and evaluates significant changes that have taken place in the salvage industry over the last two decades. The report addresses and makes recommendations concerning business conditions in the salvage industry, arrangement for time-critical decision making in response to marine emergencies, national salvage policy, the concept of the professional salvor, the importance and adequacy of human resources in the salvage industry, rescue towing, marine firefighting, cargo transfer, damage stability information, salvage in the presence of hazardous cargo, purposeful jettison as a salvage technique, designation of safe havens for stricken vessels, the salvage readiness of vessels and crews, and the contribution of the Navy to the national salvage capability.