BILL OF LADING

THE SHIP

Article I, par. (d) of the Hague-Visby Rules gives of the term ship the following definition:

"Ship" means any vessel used for the carriage of goods by sea.

One has to be very careful when it comes to definitions of sea terms. Every definition has to be considered in its own context and to the subject it refers to.

The term ship is a good example of this.

Although some authors have tried to generalise definitions, there is no watertight definition of the term "ship". Take for instance the definition of the term ship as given in the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea:

The word "vessel" includes every description of water craft, including non-displacement craft and seaplanes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water. (Also note that the International Regulations use the word "Vessel" instead of the term "Ship".)

Eric Sullivan gives in his Marine Encyclopaedic Dictionary the following definition:

Ship: "A floating vessel which is self propelled and capable of carrying cargo or passengers".

Vessel: "A general marine word for all type of floating craft with or without power".

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