Which maritime term describes the practice of throwing cargo overboard to save a distressed vessel?

Which maritime term describes the practice of throwing cargo overboard to save a distressed vessel?

• A. Jettison
• B. Piracy
• C. Salvage
• D. Malinger

Answer: (A)

Lightening the vessel by discarding weight in an emergency is called jettison. It’s the deliberate act of throwing cargo overboard to reduce load, improve stability, and prevent capsizing or sinking when a ship is in distress. The goal is to save lives and the vessel, even at the expense of cargo. Piracy is theft at sea, not about reducing weight. Salvage is the recovery of a ship or its cargo after damage, typically involving compensation for the effort, not the act of throwing cargo overboard. Malingering is faking illness to avoid duty. So the term that precisely describes the act in question is jettison.

Lightening the vessel by discarding weight in an emergency is called jettison. It’s the deliberate act of throwing cargo overboard to reduce load, improve stability, and prevent capsizing or sinking when a ship is in distress. The goal is to save lives and the vessel, even at the expense of cargo.

Piracy is theft at sea, not about reducing weight. Salvage is the recovery of a ship or its cargo after damage, typically involving compensation for the effort, not the act of throwing cargo overboard. Malingering is faking illness to avoid duty. So the term that precisely describes the act in question is jettison.