Legal Definitions - ligen

The term ligen (pronounced LIE-gen) refers to goods that have been cast overboard from a ship or vessel, but which have a buoy or other marker attached to them, indicating the owner's intention to retrieve them later. Unlike goods that are simply lost at sea (flotsam) or intentionally abandoned (derelict), ligen goods are still considered the property of their original owner because of the attached marker and the owner's clear intent to recover them.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: Cargo Containers in a Storm

  During an unexpected and severe storm, a large cargo ship is forced to jettison several containers to prevent the vessel from capsizing. Before pushing a container filled with valuable electronics overboard, the crew attaches a robust, brightly colored buoy equipped with a GPS tracker. The shipping company immediately logs the exact coordinates and plans to dispatch a salvage vessel to retrieve the container once the storm passes.

  This illustrates ligen because the container (goods) was intentionally cast overboard from the ship, but a clear marker (buoy with GPS tracker) was attached, signifying the owner's intent to recover it. The goods are not abandoned and remain the property of the shipping company.

• Example 2: Lost Commercial Fishing Gear

  A commercial fishing trawler experiences a malfunction with its winch system, causing a large section of its expensive fishing net to detach and fall into the ocean. Fortunately, the net was equipped with several specialized buoys and a radio transponder for tracking. The fishing crew records the last known location and the unique transponder frequency, intending to return and recover the net as soon as they complete their current fishing run or the weather improves.

  This demonstrates ligen because the fishing net (goods) was lost from the vessel, but it had attached markers (buoys and a transponder) that allow for its identification and retrieval, indicating the owner's clear intent to recover their property.

• Example 3: Scientific Research Equipment

  An oceanographic research team deploys a sophisticated array of underwater sensors to monitor deep-sea currents for several months. The array is designed to be self-contained and anchored to the seabed, but it includes a timed release mechanism that will eventually send a surface buoy, equipped with a satellite beacon and unique identification, to the surface. The research team plans to retrieve the entire array once the study period concludes by tracking the beacon.

  This example fits the definition of ligen because the sensor array (goods) is intentionally separated from the main vessel, but it is equipped with a clear marker (surface buoy with satellite beacon) and the research team has a definite plan and intent to recover it at a future date.