The Captain’s Log

Toplevel | Pontifications of The Great and Terrible Captain Cucamunga.

Thu, 28 May 2026 16:41:04 EDT

Flotsam, Jetsam, Lagan, and Derelict

These terms have specific meanings under the Law of the Sea.

Flotsam
The noun flotsam names floating goods from sunken or wrecked ships.
Jetsam
The noun jetsam names floating cargo intentionally jettisoned from ships.
Lagan
The noun lagan names jettisoned cargo that has sank to the ocean floor but has been marked by the owner with a floating marker.
Derelict
The noun derelict names jettisoned sunken cargo that has been abandoned by its owner.