Ok, I have made this ability
Here is what I did.
First, the ability has "applybufftotargetsinrange"
The targets being the ships you want to salvage
The buff "AppliesBufftotarget" "OnOwnerDeath"
The Target being an allied vessal, with a range slightly larger than the original ability
That last buff than has the "Gainreasources" line "like from BuffDrainPlanet(something)
I've done this, it is quite succsefull.
Hope you understand my chiken scratch, if not, Message me, and I'll give you my actual entity files.