47 U.S.C. § 23

Injury to submarine cables in efforts to save life excepted

The provisions of sections 21 and 22 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.

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