If repairs cannot be effected at sea it will be unsafe to continue the voyage;
attempting to do so would expose the owners to liability for any loss or damage to cargo (e. g. if the ship grounded after a steering failure). At the same time, under class rules, the vessel must be taken to a port where she can be surveyed whenever there is serious damage of this sort. Breach of class rules will usually invalidate hull and machinery and P&I insurance cover. In practice, owners should give the master instructions after liaising with the class society.
