Answer
Examples:Jettison of Cargo: Throwing cargo overboard to lighten a ship that is aground or taking on water in severe weather to save the vessel from sinking.
Fire Extinguishing Damage: Water, chemical, or foam damage to cargo or machinery caused by spraying water into a hold to extinguish a shipboard fire. (Note: The cargo directly destroyed by the fire is a Particular Average/accidental loss, but damage caused by the fire-extinguishing medium is a G.A. sacrifice).
Forced Engine & Machinery Overexertion: Running main engines or auxiliary machinery beyond rated operational limits (e.g., maximum overload) to refloat a grounded vessel, resulting in severe engine or boiler breakdown/damage.
Real-World Contemporary Examples
Ever Given (2021): After the massive container vessel ran aground in the Suez Canal, the owner declared General Average. The costs of salvage tugs, dredging equipment, offloading preparations, and canal authority fees were apportioned across all cargo owners and the shipowner.
Dali (2024): Following the power loss and collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, the vessel owners declared General Average to cover the complex salvage, clear the wreck, and manage cargo operations.