Flotsam & Jetsam

About

Flotsam and Jetsam are terms rooted in maritime law that describe various types of property lost or abandoned at sea. These words carry specific nautical meanings with important legal consequences in the law of admiralty and marine salvage. Flotsam, jetsam, lagan, and derelict each represent distinct categories within maritime legal terminology. The distinction between these terms matters significantly in legal proceedings related to sea-based property loss. A related concept in maritime contexts is the shipwreck, which is defined as the remains of a ship that has been wrecked, whether it has sunk or is floating on the surface of the water. Understanding these maritime terms is essential for anyone involved in ocean commerce, salvage operations, or admiralty law.