As a boat owner, you do not want a maritime lien on your vessel. But what exactly does that mean in the first place? Liens allow for claims against watercraft, which may cause their repossession or the seizure of these vessels as enforcement. When do maritime liens...

Admiralty & Maritime Defense
How are international waters defined?
When it comes to legal maritime issues, one of the most complex things is the fact that laws governing certain waterways may change depending on location. A crucial point of legal issues on the water involves finding out if something happened in U.S. territorial water...
The fundamental components of maritime law
Most people are unfamiliar with maritime law because it is not as widely taught as mainstream law topics. Most countries with access to ports and ocean travel have their own maritime laws, but international waters are not governed by local legislation. A series of...
Cruise ship maneuver causes water to spill over multiple decks
If a cruise ship comes across a refugee vessel, it has a legal obligation to offer assistance. If it causes personal injury or property damage to its passengers, the cruise line also has an obligation to compensate them. According to Newsweek, a cruise ship almost had...
What is the error in extremis doctrine?
Modern technology continues to be a friend to ship captains around the globe. Indeed, many of today's ships virtually drive themselves, with technology helping captains to make critical decisions both quickly and effectively. Still, according to Ship Technology, human...
Causes and costs of maritime collisions
The shipping industry has seen a significant decline in vessels lost to collisions, foundering and other accidents. However, that is cold comfort to the captain or fleet owner of a lost ship in 2022. When navigating a serious incident, it is important to understand...
How do cruise ships handle their waste?
Cruise ships carry millions of passengers around the world every year. As these passengers enjoy living on these ships, they create many types of waste. U.S. and International environmental laws regulate how cruise ships manage sewage, food waste, trash. Improper...
The Jones Act – an overview
Operating a vessel in U.S. and foreign waters often comes with challenges and strict regulations. U.S. laws such as the Jones Act set guidelines for where and how shipping and other businesses may run their ships. Those who transport goods between U.S. ports should...
What should you know about maritime liens?
If you learn unexpectedly that you have a maritime lien on your vessel, you like other boat owners may wonder what that means and what options you have. Such liens place claims against watercraft, allowing seizure of the vessels as enforcement. To help protect...
Should vessels have life jackets for plus-sized passengers?
If you think Americans seem to be a bit portlier lately, your mind is not trying to trick you. In fact, according to reporting from USA Today, the average American has become both heavier and thicker in recent decades. The average woman now has a 36.3-inch waist,...