Part A. Preliminary Remarks

The scope of the chapter

11.1 This chapter considers the relationship between the tug and her tow in the event of a collision and how the question of the liability of each, both for its own acts and for those of the other, is addressed by the courts. In the ordinary course of events, a collision at sea between two or more vessels will give rise to a cause of action in negligence in the event of navigational fault or omission on the part of one or more vessels which results in loss or damage to another vessel. Physical contact between vessels is not the only instance where a vessel may sue another for negligence in navigation: a vessel may proceed too fast and cause a wash which damages another vessel; a vessel by its negligent navigation may force another vessel to take evasive action which results in that vessel colliding or stranding.