N.Y. Nav. Law § 134

§ 134. When owner may sue. The rejection by the court of any claim for\nwrecked property shall not preclude the claimant from maintaining an\naction for the recovery of such property or its proceeds against the\nofficer in whose hands the same shall be; but if the plaintiff in any\nsuch action shall prevail, there shall be deducted, in addition to the\nsalvage and expenses charged on the property, from the damages\nrecovered, the costs of the defense.\n