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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
One of the most confusing things about determining legal issues associated with maritime activities is that waterways may have different laws depending on the location. An important point is to understand if a legal issue came up when the vessel was in U.S. waters or...
One of the most famous maritime disasters in the U.S. occurred in 1980 when a freighter crashed into Florida’s Sunshine Skyway Bridge during a storm. A variety of lawsuits followed, and litigation continued for years. Where did the court ultimately determine...
Maritime laws require vessel employers to provide injured offshore workers with Maintenance and Cure benefits that resemble civilian workers' compensation. This Jones Act benefit has a no-fault provision, meaning you must pay it regardless of how your employee...
If you are a boat captain, your worst nightmare is probably having someone fall overboard. After all, if your vessel is moving, you may not be able to turn the ship around in enough time to locate a missing person in a wide-open sea. This is particularly true at night...
