Maritime Legal Glossary: H

Hague rules: rules governing the carriage of goods by sea and identifying the rights and responsibilities of carriers and owners of cargo. These rules were published in 1924 following an international convention and were subsequently given the force of law by many maritime nations.

Hague-visby rules: a set of rules, amending the hague rules published in 1968 and subsequently given the force of law by many maritime nations.

Hamburg rules: rules governing the rights and responsibilities of carrier and cargo interests which may be incorporated into a contract for the carriage of goods by sea either by agreement of the parties or statutorily. These rules were adopted by the united national convention on the carriage of goods by sea in 1978. 

Harbor dues: various local charges against all seagoing vessels entering a harbor, to cover maintenance of channel depths, buoys, lights, etc. All harbors do not necessarily have this charge.

Harbor master: a person usually having the experience of a certificated master mariner and having a good knowledge of the characteristics of the port and its whole area. He administers the entire shipping movements that take place in and within reach of the port he is responsible for.

Hard aground: a vessel which has gone aground and is incapable of refloating under her own power.

Hard currency: a currency which is sound enough to be accepted internationally and which is usually fully convertible. 

Harter act: (1893). This 1893 u.s. statute refers to merchandise or property transported from or between ports of the united states and foreign ports. It is now partially superseded by the us carriage of goods by sea act of 1936.

Hatch: an opening, generally rectangular, in a ship's deck affording access into the compartment below.

Hawser: large strong rope used for towing purposes and for securing or mooring ships. Hawsers are now mostly made of steel.

Haz mat: an industry abbreviation for "hazardous material."

Hearsay: secondhand information that a witness only heard about from someone else and did not see or hear himself. Hearsay is not admitted in court because it's not trustworthy, though there are many exceptions. 

Helm: a tiller or a wheel generally installed on the bridge or wheelhouse of a ship to turn the rudder during maneuvering and navigation. It is in fact the steering wheel of the ship.

Hoisting rope: a special flexible wire rope used for lifting. It is generally six strands with 19 wires in each strand and in most cases having a hemp rope at the center.

Hold: a general name for the spaces below the main deck designated for stowage of general cargo. A hold on a tanker is usually just forward of #1 cargo tank. Some newer tankers have no hold.

Hopper barge: a barge which loads material dumped into it by a dredger and discharges the cargo through the bottom.

Hovercraft: a vessel used for the transportation of passengers and cargo riding on a cushion of air formed under it. It is very maneuverable and is also amphibious.

HMT: harbor maintenance tax.

Hull: shell or body of a ship.

Hydrofoil: a craft more or less similar to the hovercraft insofar as it flies over water and thus eliminates friction between the water and the hull. Under acceleration it rises above water but remains in contact with the surface through supporting legs.direct to that point.