What are 'perils of the ship' as distinguished from 'perils of the sea'?

'Perils of the ship' specifically refer to risks associated with the tangible vessel itself, such as structural failures, human errors made by the crew, and navigational accidents that can occur while the ship is underway. In contrast, 'perils of the sea' pertain generally to the natural conditions that can affect navigation and seaworthiness, including storms, high winds, rough waters, and other environmental factors that pose risks while a ship is at sea.

The distinction here is important in understanding maritime insurance policies, as coverage for perils of the sea might include protection against natural disasters, while coverage for perils of the ship focuses on issues directly related to the ship's operation and management. Thus, losses from human error—while they might represent a peril of the ship—are not classified under perils of the sea. This highlights a clear boundary in maritime coverage types, where the nature of the peril influences compensation claims and insurance policy stipulations.