Some unsettling maritime terms: the interpretation of found, cargo, ballast and voyage

摘要

This paper examines the meaning of four common maritime andadmiralty terms: found, cargo, ballast and voyage. These terms areproblematic because their defi- nitions are elastic which makesapplication of the terms difficult. The four terms are importantbecause significant legal consequences are attached to each of them,particularly for seamen on flags of convenience (FOC) and crews ofconvenience (COC) vessels in US ports. The findings of the author arebased on personal experience as well as research conducted inpreparation as an expert witness in several maritime cases in boththe US District Courts and in Louisiana State Courts, personalinterviews with seamen on FOC/COC vessels, interviews with legal andeconomic experts on the international maritime industry and officialsof national and international labour organizations.