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Gard Guidance Masters

3.5.2 JUSTIFIABLE DIVERSIONS

A diversion from the usual and customary route will normally be considered justified if necessary to land ill or injured crew members, passengers, stowaways, refugees or persons rescued from the sea or to save life or property at sea. The Company will often be under a duty to divert in such cases and there are international regulations which oblige the Master to render every possible assistance to save life and property at sea, e.g. a vessel in distress.

The P&I insurance normally covers the Company for certain extra costs incurred in justifiably diverting a ship in the circumstances described above. If circumstances allow, the Master must seek instructions from the Company and the P&I insurer before diverting the vessel. Assistance can also be sought from the P&I insurer’s local correspondent. All the circumstances that cause the Master to divert the vessel should be recorded.