A vessel proceeding to London, England, from New York makes an unscheduled call at the port of Hamilton, Bermuda. What term is used to denote the voluntary departure from the usual course?

Correct Answer: Option A — Deviation

Deviation is the legal term for a vessel's voluntary departure from the agreed-upon or customary route. Under maritime law, an unjustified deviation can void insurance policies and breach the contract of carriage, unless the deviation is necessary for safety, saving life, or rendering assistance to other vessels in distress.