Legal Definitions - steady course

Definition: Steady course is a term used in maritime law to describe a ship's path that is easily determined. This can be because the ship is traveling in a straight line or because its future positions can be easily plotted based on its current movements.

Example: A ship traveling in a straight line from point A to point B is said to be on a steady course. Another example would be a ship that is following a predetermined route with specific waypoints that can be easily plotted on a map.

These examples illustrate the concept of a steady course because in both cases, the ship's path is easily determined and can be predicted with a high degree of accuracy. This is important in maritime law because it allows other ships to avoid collisions and helps ensure the safety of everyone on board.