33 U.S.C. 1478: Personal, flag state, and foreign state considerationsText contains those laws in effect through Public Law 119-120 (October 7, 2026).
From Title 33-NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERSCHAPTER 28-POLLUTION CASUALTIES ON THE HIGH SEAS: UNITED STATES INTERVENTION
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§1478. Personal, flag state, and foreign state considerations
In the direction and conduct of measures under this chapter the Secretary shall use his best endeavors to—
(1) assure the avoidance of risk to human life;
(2) render all possible aid to distressed persons, including facilitating repatriation of ships’ crews; and
(3) not unnecessarily interfere with rights and interests of others, including the flag state of any ship involved, other foreign states threatened by damage, and persons otherwise concerned.
( Pub. L. 93–248, § 9 , Feb. 5, 1974 , 88 Stat. 9 .)