A jury rig is a temporary, makeshift repair or replacement of a ship’s mast, sail, rudder, or rigging, constructed using available materials after the original gear is damaged or lost at sea. It is designed as an emergency measure to enable a vessel to reach safety or port, rather than for long-term use.

Key Components and Context:
Jury Mast: A temporary mast erected after the main mast breaks (dismasting).

Jury Rudder: A makeshift steering apparatus fashioned when the primary rudder fails.

Jury-rigging: The act of assembling these repairs, often using sails, spars, and line found on board.

Origin: The term dates back to at least the 1780s, possibly from the French jour (day), implying a "day mast" or temporary structure.

It is often confused with "jerry-built," but "jury-rigged" specifically refers to emergency, improvised repairs in a nautical context.