Maritime Law Practice Exam

In general average, a sacrifice is a deliberate loss of part of the ship or its cargo undertaken to save the voyage from peril. It must be voluntary and done for the common safety of all interests aboard and involved in the voyage. The classic example is jettisoning cargo to lighten the ship so it can proceed to safety. Because this act is intentional and performed to avert a greater danger, it triggers general average, with all parties sharing in the resulting loss.

Insurance premiums are payments under a contract to cover risk, not sacrifices made to save the voyage. A minor delay in loading or routine maintenance costs are ordinary operating expenses, not voluntary acts aimed at saving the voyage, so they do not constitute a general average sacrifice.