JP 3-50 National Search and Rescue Manual Vol I - US Navy

1240 PRIVATE PROPERTY
1241 Entering Private Property
Trespass is defined as an unlawful entry upon land belonging to
another. As a general practice, SAR personnel and land SRUs engaged in
SAR should obtain permission from the property owner or occupant prior
to entry. If this is not possible, it is usually prudent to notify
local law enforcement authorities if time allows. Trespass by SAR
personnel is justified if necessary. Every effort must be made to
minimize damage to the property, as the SAR agency may be liable for
such damages.
1242 Handling Privately Owned Property
Private property coming into possession of SAR personnel should be
safeguarded, inventoried, and returned to its owner, and a receipt
obtained. If the owner cannot be immediately found, SRUs should take
the property to the officer assigned for handling property. Recovered
private personal property may, under direction of the SAR coordinator,
be delivered directly to local law enforcement authorities.
1243 Unclaimed or Abandoned Property
Unclaimed property is property not called for by its owner.
Abandoned property is property that the owner has voluntarily
relinquished, with the intent of giving up ownership and not
specifically vesting title in anyone else. Property abandoned by
registered owners is not always legally abandoned. Insurance
underwriters, owners of cargo aboard the vessel, and others may have to
declare abandonment for the vessel to be totally abandoned. Such
property should be inventoried and handled following agency directives.
1250 CHARGES FOR SERVICES
No charge is normally made for SAR. However, agency directives may
allow charges for saving or assisting property.
1260 CIVIL ACTION FOLLOWING SAR INCIDENTS
A. Citizens, private attorneys, life insurance companies, and
government agencies may seek information about a SAR case to assist in
settling estates of persons missing after casualties, or to resolve
other legal matters. SAR agencies do not issue statements of
presumptive death after these cases, but merely provide a factual
account of the action taken. All such accounts must be cleared by a
legal office before release.
B. Many civil actions involving SAR begin years after the event.
If a SAR mission may result in such action, SAR controllers and
personnel should preserve complete and accurate records, including
original RCC tapes if possible. If in doubt about whether to preserve
documentation or how long to preserve it, responsible personnel should