Justice of the Peace, Maritime Declarations

A maritime declaration sworn before a justice of the peace is a ship’s master’s note of protest, a sworn statement made before a JP, notary public, or other authorized officer ashore. The master records that heavy weather, perils of the sea, or other circumstances beyond control may have damaged ship or cargo, attesting to events while they are fresh. The sworn declaration creates contemporaneous evidence used later in cargo claims, general average, and insurance disputes; it reserves the owner’s position rather than admitting liability.