Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 470. Section 470.
Respondentia is a contract by which all or part of a cargo is hypothecated as security for a loan, the repayment of which is dependent on maritime risks.
ARTICLE 2. Respondentia [470. - 474.]
Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC 2.
in effectCal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 471. Section 471.
The owner of cargo may hypothecate it upon respondentia, at any time and place, and for any purpose.
Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 472. Section 472.
The master of a vessel may hypothecate its cargo upon respondentia only if all of the following conditions exist:
(a)
He would be authorized to hypothecate the vessel and freightage.
(b)
He is unable to borrow sufficient money on the vessel and freightage for repairs or supplies which are necessary for the successful accomplishment of the voyage.
(c)
There is a reasonable prospect of benefiting the cargo.
Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 473. Section 473.
The owner of a vessel is bound to repay to the owner of its cargo all which the latter is compelled to pay in order to discharge a lien under a contract of respondentia made by the master.
Cal. Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC § 474. Section 474.
The provisions of sections 455 to 462 of this code apply equally to loans on respondentia.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026