Simple English definitions for legal terms
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A seagoing vessel is a type of boat or ship that is designed to travel on water. It can be used to transport people, cargo, or equipment from one place to another. To be considered a vessel, it must be able to navigate on water. There are different types of vessels, such as foreign vessels, Jones Act vessels, public vessels, and seaworthy vessels. A seaworthy vessel is one that can withstand the weather and conditions of the sea. When someone owns a vessel, they are said to "vest" ownership of it.
A seagoing vessel is a ship, brig, sloop, or any other craft that can navigate on water. It is used or capable of being used to transport passengers, cargo, or equipment from one place to another across navigable waters. To qualify as a vessel under the Jones Act, the structure's purpose must be to some reasonable degree to transport passengers, cargo, or equipment from place to place across navigable waters.
The examples illustrate that a seagoing vessel is any watercraft that is designed or used for transporting cargo or people on navigable waters. It excludes pleasure yachts, tugs and towboats, fishing boats, and other vessels that do not carry passengers for hire.