In every major port and waterway, there are salvage companies waiting to respond to distress calls, serving as something like a private emergency service for the open ocean. In return for the difficult and dangerous work of putting out a fire, plugging a leak, or towing an immobilized ship to safety, salvors have the right to claim a portion of the value of what they save—often around 10 percent, though the most challenging jobs can earn them far more.
