U.S. federal judge blocks auction of more than 100 Titanic artifacts

U.S. District Judge Rebecca Beach Smith in Norfolk, Virginia, ruled on 25 August 2026 that RMS Titanic Inc. cannot sell over 100 artifacts recovered from the wreck. The company, exclusive salvor-in-possession since 1994, holds rights to recover objects but not to sell them. NOAA and the U.S. government opposed the proposed auction.