Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

barratry

Noun

/ˈbærətri/

Definition

The act of a ship’s captain or crew committing fraud or breach of duty, particularly in unauthorized actions that adversely affect the ship owner’s interests.

Examples

The captain’s barratry led to significant losses for the shipping company.
Due to barratry, the insurance claims were disputed as the crew acted negligently.
Investors should be aware of barratry when insuring maritime ventures.

Meaning

Barratry refers to a situation where a ship’s master or crew engages in illegal, dishonest behavior that harms the vessel’s owner, often involving negligence or malfeasance at sea.