In this era of new advancements in technology, the value of experience is still the best resource available to any industry. With this objective in mind, nine leading U.S. salvors in the United States first established the American Salvage Association (ASA) in 2000. Created in response to the need of providing an identity and assisting in the professionalizing of the U.S. marine salvage and firefighting response, the intention of the ASA is to professionalize and improve marine casualty response in North American coastal and inland waters.

The ASA intends to ensure open communication and cooperation with regulatory authorities, both state and federal, the environmental community, and of course with shipowners and underwriters to assure effective operations in the future. By working closely together with regulatory authorities as well as owners and underwriters rather than at cross purposes, the general public as well as marine resources will be even better protected.

The American Salvage Association meets with various federal and state agencies to exchange views on the improvement of salvage and firefighting response in the U.S. It is the intent to also interface with vessel owners and their underwriting interests as well as various public interest groups to assure a better understanding of all views to assure a successful and protective response when required in the future.