Also known as: pocket-money · allowance · spending money
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
A small gratuity traditionally paid to the master and sometimes the crew of a ship for the care of the cargo.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
Pacific Bank chartered a vessel from Pinnacle Holdings. The initial cargo arrived with mismatched seals. Pinnacle Holdings seasonably notified the bank of its intent to substitute conforming containers and offered pocket money to the master for the extra handling. The bank accepted the replacement shipment within the contract time.
Preston Pratt and Phoebe Park signed a charter party before their voyage. Phoebe waived her rights to any pocket money from the cargo proceeds. After the voyage the admiralty court enforced the waiver even though it lacked separate consideration.
Philip Powell's cargo was damaged when Pulse Media's vessel backed into the pier. The court awarded the difference in value before and after the harm. At Powell's election the court also allowed pocket money to the master with an offset for any remaining difference in value after the work was completed.
Pierce Patterson contracted for a specific shipment of perishable produce identified at the time of sale. Part of the shipment spoiled before risk of loss passed. Patterson inspected the goods and elected to accept them with a price reduction reflecting the deficiency and an added pocket money payment to the crew rather than avoiding the contract entirely.
Peter Park's surviving spouse received a constitutional homestead interest in the family home that formed part of the estate. The probate court reduced her statutory homestead allowance by the value of that constitutional interest, treating any pocket money earned at sea as separate maritime property to prevent double recovery.
Paige Porter provoked Prosperity Investments' crew during a repossession attempt at sea. The court awarded Porter compensatory damages without reduction for the provocation. The same provocation was considered when the court decided the amount of any punitive damages to impose on the pocket money customarily paid to the master.
It compensates the master and crew for extra care of the cargo beyond ordinary duties.
Supporting sources
Yes. Black's Law Dictionary treats pocket money as an alternative name for hat money, which is also called primage.
Supporting sources
No. It arises by custom as a traditional gratuity and is not dependent on an express written agreement.
Supporting sources
…reliance upon the criminal law." Bantam Books, Inc., v. Sullivan, 372 U. S. 58, 70. The state rule of law is not saved by its allowance of the defense of truth. A defense for erroneous statements honestly made is no less essential here than was the requirement of proof of guilty knowledge which, in Smith v. California, 361…