Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Member of a Crew: A person who works on a ship and helps it to function properly. They are not officers, but they are important to the ship's mission. If they get hurt while working, they are protected by special laws. Sometimes, people who work on ships that do other things besides transport goods, like cruise ships or oil drilling platforms, can also be considered members of a crew. There are different types of crew members, like able-bodied seamen who are experienced and can do all the jobs on the ship, ordinary seamen who are still learning, and merchant seamen who work on private ships.
Definition: A member of a crew is a person who works on a navigating vessel and contributes to its function or mission. They are usually employees below the rank of officer and are covered under the Jones Act and the general maritime law.
Examples: Seamen, able-bodied seamen, merchant seamen, and ordinary seamen are all examples of members of a crew. An able-bodied seaman is an experienced seaman who is qualified for all seaman's duties and certified by an inspecting authority. A merchant seaman is a sailor employed by a private vessel, as distinguished from one employed in public or military service. An ordinary seaman is a seaman who has some experience but who is not proficient enough to be classified as an able-bodied seaman.
Explanation: Members of a crew are essential to the functioning of a navigating vessel. They perform various duties such as steering the vessel, maintaining equipment, and ensuring the safety of passengers and cargo. The examples illustrate the different types of crew members and their qualifications. An able-bodied seaman is highly skilled and can perform all duties required on a vessel. A merchant seaman works on a private vessel, while an ordinary seaman has some experience but is not yet proficient enough to be classified as an able-bodied seaman.