# Salvage Claim

To avoid station docks getting blocked by abandoned / AFK ships, we allow players to make **Salvage Claims** on unattended ships in Safe Zones and No-Fire Zones.


:::info
This process is to keep stations clear, and must not be abused to acquire “free” ships.

:::


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A salvage claim may **only** be initiated if the owner is **not active** in the immediate vicinity.


1. You must contact the owner using in-game whisper (`/w $playername` within the same instance) or global in-game chat to inform them of your claim.  
     
   Your message(s) MUST include:
   * the term ‘salvage claim’
   * the ship’s name
   * the owner’s name or faction when using global chat
   * the time until salvage (30 minutes)

     
   The salvage timer begins ONLY after a **clear** and **valid** salvage claim has been issued to the **proper grid owner** or global in-game chat.

   
2. You must wait 30 minutes to give the owner a chance to contest the salvage claim.
   * Discord message do not count as being active. The owner must resume activity on the grid in order to deny the salvage claim.

     
3. If the owner hasn’t replied after 30 minutes and continues to show no activity, you are free to move the grid out of the No-Fire zone for salvage.
   * If the owner comes back and asks you to stop before you leave the No-Fire zone, you must release their ship back to them.
   * If the grid is placed into a hangar, any active salvage claim is cancelled.