230 LAWS GOVERNING MARINE INSPECTION _ 



requirements thereof. (June 20, 1874, ch. 344, §12, 18 Stat. 128; 

 Feb. 14, 1903, ch. 552, § 10, 32 Stat. 829; Mar. 4, 1913, ch. 141, § 1, 37 

 Stat. 736; 1946 Reorg. Plan No. 3, §§ 101-104, eff. July 16, 1946, 11 

 F.R. 7875, 60 Stat. 1097.) 



Saving life and property 



14 U.S.C. 88 



(a) In order to render aid to distressed persons, vessels, and aircraft 

 on tlie high seas and on waters over which the United States has juris- 

 diction and in order to render aid to persons and property imperiled by 

 flood, the Coast Guard may : 



(1) perform any and all acts necessary to rescue and aid persons 

 and protect and save property ; 



(2) take charge of and protect all property saved from marine 

 or aircraft disasters, or floods, at which the Coast Guard is present, 

 until such property is claimed by persons legally authorized to receive 

 it or until otherwise disposed of in accordance with law or applicable 

 regulations, and care for bodies of those who may have perished in 

 such catastrophes ; 



(3) furnish clothing, food, lodging, medicines, and other neces- 

 sary supplies and services to persons succored by the Coast Guard; 

 and 



(4) destroy or tow into port sunken or floating dangers to navi- 

 gation. 



(b) The Coast Guard may render aid to persons and protect and 

 save property at any time and at any plac« at which Coast Guard facil- 

 ities and personnel are available and can be effectively utilized. 

 (Aug. 4, 1949, ch. 393, 63 Stat. 501.) 



