flotsam

Flotsam is floating wreckage or cargo from a ship that has sunk or been distressed, which remains on the surface of the sea. It commonly includes timbers, barrels, containers, and other debris that continues to drift after a wreck. Jetsam refers to items that were deliberately cast overboard to lighten a vessel or discard cargo during distress; the two terms are often contrasted in nautical and salvage contexts. In maritime law, the distinction has historically affected ownership claims and salvage rights.

Origin and usage: The terms flotsam and jetsam have roots in English maritime practice dating to medieval law. Flotsam derives from the sense of floating wreckage, while jetsam reflects things jettisoned from a vessel.

Ecology and modern context: Today, flotsam commonly denotes floating debris in the ocean, including plastic waste and other man-made or natural debris carried by currents. Flotsam can travel long distances and contribute to marine pollution and hazards for wildlife and ships. The term is often used alongside jetsam in discussions of debris provenance and legal claims.

In culture and literature, flotsam has been used metaphorically to describe drifting remnants of events or civilizations, reflecting its nautical origins.