---
kind: "section"
citation: "43 U.S.C. § 2105"
title: "43"
title_heading: "Public Lands"
number: "2105"
heading: "Rights of ownership"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/43/2105"
units:
  - "Chapter 39 — Abandoned Shipwrecks"
---

# §2105. Rights of ownership

- (a) **United States title—** The United States asserts title to any abandoned [shipwreck](/usc/43/2102.md?p=d) that is—
  - (1) [embedded](/usc/43/2102.md?p=a) in [submerged lands](/usc/43/2102.md?p=f) of a [State](/usc/43/2102.md?p=e);
  - (2) [embedded](/usc/43/2102.md?p=a) in coralline formations protected by a [State](/usc/43/2102.md?p=e) on [submerged lands](/usc/43/2102.md?p=f) of a [State](/usc/43/2102.md?p=e); or
  - (3) on [submerged lands](/usc/43/2102.md?p=f) of a [State](/usc/43/2102.md?p=e) and is included in or determined eligible for inclusion in the [National Register](/usc/43/2102.md?p=b).
- (b) **Notice of shipwreck location; eligibility determination for inclusion in National Register of Historic Places—** The public shall be given adequate notice of the location of any [shipwreck](/usc/43/2102.md?p=d) to which title is asserted under this section. The [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) of the Interior, after consultation with the appropriate [State](/usc/43/2102.md?p=e) Historic Preservation Officer, shall make a written determination that an abandoned [shipwreck](/usc/43/2102.md?p=d) meets the criteria for eligibility for inclusion in the [National Register](/usc/43/2102.md?p=b) of Historic Places under clause (a)(3).
- (c) **Transfer of title to States—** The title of the United States to any abandoned [shipwreck](/usc/43/2102.md?p=d) asserted under [subsection (a)](#a) of this section is transferred to the [State](/usc/43/2102.md?p=e) in or on whose [submerged lands](/usc/43/2102.md?p=f) the [shipwreck](/usc/43/2102.md?p=d) is located.
- (d) **Exception—** Any abandoned [shipwreck](/usc/43/2102.md?p=d) in or on the [public lands](/usc/43/2102.md?p=c) of the United States is the property of the United States Government. Any abandoned [shipwreck](/usc/43/2102.md?p=d) in or on any [Indian lands](/usc/43/2102.md?p=c) is the property of the [Indian tribe](/usc/43/2102.md?p=c) owning such lands.
- (e) **Reservation of rights—** This section does not affect any right reserved by the United States or by any [State](/usc/43/2102.md?p=e) (including any right reserved with respect to [Indian lands](/usc/43/2102.md?p=c)) under—
  - (1) section [1311](/usc/43/1311.md), [1313](/usc/43/1313.md), or [1314](/usc/43/1314.md) of this title; or
  - (2) section 414 or 415 of title 33.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 100–298, § 6, Apr. 28, 1988, 102 Stat. 433.)