Jury Meaning in Sailing

The jury (or jury rig) refers to a temporary, makeshift repair made to a boat using whatever materials are available after a piece of equipment has failed. Most commonly, a ‘jury mast’ is built from a boom or a spinnaker pole after the main mast has broken (been dismasted). A jury rig is intended only to get the vessel safely to the nearest port for permanent repairs. One specific example involves a crew using a storm jib and an upright oar to sail home after losing their primary rig in a storm. This requires immense creativity and seamanship to solve complex mechanical problems with limited resources. In a different context, a ‘jury’ in racing refers to a protest committee that settles disputes between competitors. Both meanings emphasize the need for order and survival in the challenging environment of the sea.