---
kind: "section"
citation: "47 U.S.C. § 23"
title: "47"
title_heading: "Telecommunications"
number: "23"
heading: "Injury to submarine cables in efforts to save life excepted"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/47/23"
units:
  - "Chapter 2 — Submarine Cables"
---

# §23. Injury to submarine cables in efforts to save life excepted


The provisions of sections [21](/usc/47/21.md) and [22](/usc/47/22.md) of this title shall not apply to a person who breaks or injures a cable in an effort to save the life or limb of himself or of any other person, or to save his own or any other vessel: Provided, That he takes reasonable precautions to avoid such breaking or injury.


## Source credit

(Feb. 29, 1888, ch. 17, § 3, 25 Stat. 41.)