A marine insurance peril meaning any wrongful act wilfully committed by the master or crew to the detriment of the vessel’s owner or charterer.
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Barratry is wrongful act of the Master and/or crew to the detriment of the owners of the vessel, for example, scuttling, running the vessel ashore, setting the vessel on fire, etc.
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Relevant to Ocean Marine insurance, barratry is the serious misconduct of the captain or crew of a ship. This misconduct, which includes fraudulent and criminal acts, may cause damage to the ship or its cargo. (See Ocean Marine).