§ 291 Vessel Rule Violation Liability

Harbors and Navigation Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

If a ship breaks a rule, any damage caused is treated as the intentional fault of the deck officer on duty, unless there was a good reason to break the rule.

Key Takeaways

•Damage from breaking a ship rule is blamed on the deck officer in charge.
•The blame applies unless the officer had to break the rule because of the situation.
•The rule covers any harm to people or property caused by the ship.

Example

A cargo ship hits a pier because the officer in charge of the deck ignored a navigation rule.

The law says the damage to the pier is blamed on that officer, unless the officer can prove the rule had to be broken because of something like a sudden storm.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 291 Vessel Rule Violation Liability

Damage to person or property arising from the failure of a vessel to observe any rule of Article 1 of this chapter, shall be deemed to have been occasioned by the wilful default of the person in charge of the deck at the time, unless the circumstances of the case made a departure from the rule necessary. (Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 368.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

wilful default Article 1 vessel

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Harbors and Navigation Code. Section 291.

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Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References