The ownership of the Electra is interesting. I understand what Mr. LaPook states regarding insurance, because the insured and owner of an aircraft usually signs away their salvage rights when a loss is paid. That's part of the insurance contract, and the deal making when there is a loss. But if the Electra was not insured, then that throws the insurance issue out the window.
Salvage issues are governed by what is known as Admiralty Law. I looked in my Admiralty and Maritime Law Hornbook (3rd Edition, Edited by Thomas J. Schoenbaum) and found the following general rules:
1. A salvor of imperiled property on navigable waters gains a right of compensation from the owner. In other words, the owner still has a claim, but the person finding and recovering the property has a right of compensation.
2. For wrecks in the United States, the law applicable to maritime salvage is the general maritime law, which includes treaties and international obligations. General maritime law is a part of customary international law.
3. Marine salvage law is primarily concerned with property salvage. There are other types of salvage, such as life salvage and treasure salvage.
4. According to the Supreme Court, only maritime property can be the object of an act of salvage. At first it would seem that an aircraft would be excluded from this, but like so many things in law, there are exceptions. Aircraft that crash on navigable waters are subject to salvage as well. I know of one case that involved a seaplane - Lambros Seaplane Base, Inc v. The Batory, 215 F.2d 228 (2nd Cir. 1954). That case explains that maritime law does not apply if the plane is on land, but applies if it is salvaged, found, or rescued in navigable waters.
It seems to me that the Republic of Kiribati would have some claim, as any wreckage found in their waters would be subject to their claims. Obviously they would not have any claim if the Electra were located outside of their waters, in what is termed the high seas.
In this light, therefore, it makes sense, that Mr. Gillespie is accompanied by someone representing the Republic of Kiribati.