33 U.S.C. § 1478 — Personal, flag state, and foreign state considerations
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In the direction and conduct of measures under this chapter the Secretary shall use his best endeavors to—
- (1)assure the avoidance of risk to human life;
- (2)render all possible aid to distressed persons, including facilitating repatriation of ships’ crews; and
- (3)not unnecessarily interfere with rights and interests of others, including the flag state of any ship involved, other foreign states threatened by damage, and persons otherwise concerned.