Boss man, You can salvage in navigatable water, Which the Nooch is, but after 7 days (Abandoned) if you would like to be paid, you need to file for a salvage lien. But your are correct that any damaged deemed caused by you during the salvage can be put back on you as Negligent Salvage. This is why companies have Bonds and Insurance... Or you can have the owners sign a release of Liablity.... It's in the States RCW's. Only a municipality can retain ownership. A Salvage company or individual in any waters fresh or salt cannot, Unless after 30 days, and the owners are unknown, and it is abandoned or Sunk you can file paper work to become the owner. But hoops have to be jumped thru. but with a Salvage lien they have to pay the salvage bill....