Jettison
Also known as: Jetsam, Cargo Jettison
Definition
Jettison is the intentional disposal of cargo overboard to save a ship in distress. When cargo is jettisoned, the loss is shared proportionally among all cargo owners through general average—even if your goods weren’t thrown over.
When Jettison Occurs
- Ship taking on water
- Vessel stability threatened
- Fire onboard
- Grounding risk
- Extreme weather emergency
General Average and Jettison
When cargo is jettisoned to save the ship:
- All cargo owners share the loss proportionally
- Based on value of goods saved vs. lost
- Marine insurance typically covers this
- Without insurance, you pay your share
Example
Ship with $10M total cargo:
- $1M jettisoned to save vessel
- Your cargo worth $500K (5% of total)
- Your general average contribution: $50K
Legal Framework
- York-Antwerp Rules govern general average
- Master has authority to jettison
- Must be voluntary and necessary
- Done for common safety
- Must be successful (ship saved)
Jettison vs. Jetsam vs. Flotsam
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Jettison | Deliberately thrown overboard |
| Jetsam | Goods jettisoned that sink |
| Flotsam | Floating wreckage/cargo |
| Lagan | Sunken goods marked for recovery |
Insurance Protection
Marine cargo insurance covers:
- Value of jettisoned goods
- General average contributions
- Essential for ocean shipping
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