Legal Definitions - waveson

Waveson

Historically, waveson refers to any goods or property that float on the surface of the sea after a ship has been wrecked or sunk. This term was significant in older maritime law for determining ownership and salvage rights of items found adrift following a disaster at sea.

• Imagine a large cargo vessel carrying a shipment of sealed wooden crates filled with electronics. During a severe storm, the ship founders and sinks. While most of the cargo goes down with the ship, a few of the more buoyant wooden crates, perhaps damaged but still sealed, break free and are seen floating on the ocean's surface days later, carried by the currents.

  Explanation: These floating wooden crates, having come from the shipwreck and remaining on the surface of the water, would historically be classified as waveson.

• Consider a fishing boat that capsizes during an unexpected squall. Among its equipment are several plastic fuel containers, empty water jugs, and a few life jackets. After the boat sinks, these items, being inherently buoyant, detach and are observed drifting on the waves a considerable distance from the wreck site.

  Explanation: The plastic containers, water jugs, and life jackets, all floating on the sea after the fishing boat's demise, would be considered waveson.

• A luxury yacht encounters a submerged obstacle and is severely damaged, eventually sinking. Before it goes under completely, several inflatable tenders (small boats), life rafts, and a few sealed, empty coolers stored on deck become dislodged and float away on the open water.

  Explanation: The inflatable tenders, life rafts, and empty coolers that are found floating on the sea after the yacht's sinking are examples of waveson.