YORK-ANTWERP RULES 581
owners, the amount being determined annually by the total tonnage
of the ships owned by the firm and the extent of the claims paid by
the Mutual Insurance Association.
General Average arises when some loss or expense has been
wilfully and voluntarily incurred in order to save the ship and
cargo, or what remains of them. It is termed " General," because the
loss is borne generally by all interested in the ship, freight and
cargo, each one's share of the loss being proportioned to the value
he had at stake.
York-Antwerp Rules.—These form a code of rules for the
settlement of cases of General Average, and are now universally
adopted. They only apply, however, when expressly agreed upon
in the charter-party and bills of lading. Where this is not done the
average would be settled according to British law, which differs
from the York-Antwerp Rules in one or two respects.
The Rules define broadly what may or may not be made good
under general and particular average, and they serve as a guide to
average adjusters in deciding how the various interests involved in
the venture shall contribute their financial share of the loss.
The rules are recorded under the headings of :—Damage to ship
and cargo in consequence of jettisoning cargo. Jettison of deck
cargo is not made good as general average.
Extinguishing fire on shipboard and the resultant damage toy
fire and water.
Cutting away wreck.
Voluntarily running the ship ashore to avoid total loss or greater
damage.
Damage to engines in the endeavour to refloat.
Expenses incurred in lightening a ship when ashore.
Cargo and material burnt for fuel if ship runs short of bunkers
through unforeseen circumstances.
Expenses at port of refuge in discharging, storing and reloading
cargo and damage to cargo during the process.
Wages and maintenance of crew in port of refuge.
Loss of freight, etc.
Average Adjuster is one whose special business it is to make
out and draw up statements of general average, showing the amounts