If the ship becomes unseaworthy during the voyage, what must the captain do?

When a ship becomes unseaworthy during a voyage, the captain has specific responsibilities to ensure the safety of the voyage and compliance with maritime law. The correct action requires the captain to take necessary measures to remedy the situation, which may involve hiring another vessel to complete the journey, especially if it is not feasible to return to port and the ship cannot be made seaworthy at sea.

Hiring another ship at his own expense may be necessary in order to ensure the cargo is delivered safely and timely, as well as to uphold contractual obligations. This responsibility underscores the principle that the captain is in charge of the vessel and must act to mitigate any potential losses that arise from the ship's unseaworthiness.

Returning to port, transferring cargo, and notifying the shipowner, while important actions, do not necessarily capture the immediate duty of the captain to preserve the integrity of the voyage and cargo, which can sometimes mean securing an alternative vessel to continue the mission.