What Are York Antwerp Rules?
Let me explain the York Antwerp Rules directly: they are a set of maritime regulations that deal with protocols for jettisoned cargo. You'll often find these rules referenced in contracts and bills of lading, where they serve as a framework to determine liability and assign costs for lost or damaged cargo. The rules break down into provisions that establish cost obligations, including general average for allocating loss costs, particular average for the cargo owner, and salvage average for operations involving rescue crews.
Key Takeaways
Understand these core points about the York Antwerp Rules: they focus on maritime regulations for jettisoned cargo, date back to 1890 as a set of established maritime rules, and essentially codify the law of general average.
How York Antwerp Rules Work
The York Antwerp Rules, set up in 1890 and amended multiple times since, outline the rights and obligations for ship and cargo owners when cargo must be jettisoned to save the ship. You should know that bills of lading, contracts of affreightment, and marine insurance policies typically include these rules in their terms.
These rules lay out three clear principles that all must be met for application. First, the ship must face imminent danger. Second, there has to be a voluntary jettison of some cargo to save the entire vessel. Third, the effort to avoid the danger must succeed. If these conditions are satisfied, everyone involved in the maritime venture shares the financial burden of the losses proportionally, covering what the owners of the jettisoned cargo endure to preserve the ship.
Important Note
Remember, all three principles of the York Antwerp Rules must be fulfilled for the rules to take effect.
Origins of the York Antwerp Rules
The York Antwerp Rules codify a principle known as the law of general average. While the rules themselves are old, the law of general average is an even older maritime concept tracing back to Ancient Greece. This law requires that all parties in a sea venture share proportionally in losses from sacrifices made to the cargo to save the rest.
When Do You Use the York Antwerp Rules?
In a life-threatening situation at sea, the captain and crew might decide to jettison cargo as a last resort to stabilize the vessel. Jettisoning means throwing cargo overboard quickly in an emergency, without time to check whose it is, due to threats like hull damage or severe weather.
This is where the York Antwerp Rules apply: those who lose their cargo get compensation from the ship's owner and the other cargo owners' profits, ensuring a fair distribution of the financial impact.
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