California · Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC
HNC §815: When a vessel, whether foreign or domestic, is seriously damaged, or the voyage is otherwise broken up beyond the possibility of pursuing it, the master, in case of necessity, may sell the vessel with
What this law says, in plain English
A ship's master may sell the vessel if it is seriously damaged or cannot continue its voyage due to necessity.
Read the full statutory text
When a vessel, whether foreign or domestic, is seriously damaged, or the voyage is otherwise broken up beyond the possibility of pursuing it, the master, in case of necessity, may sell the vessel without instructions from the owners, unless by the earliest use of ordinary means of communication he can inform the owners and await their instructions.
Verify at the official source: California legislative text
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