Operating a cargo vessel in the Gulf of Mexico presents various challenges, and one that you hope never to face is having someone injured on board. If someone gets hurt on your Texas cargo vessel, it is essential to follow specific steps to ensure their safety,...
Admiralty & Maritime Defense
Reminders that may help you reduce maritime accidents
Maritime accidents can be much more costly and tragic than workplace misfortunes in other industries. For this reason, owners and supervisors must keep a watchful eye on safety and ensure the team works together to create a secure environment. The following...
What should you know about vessel arrest?
If a vessel gets served an arrest warrant, then it could potentially shut down your business for a period of time. Dealing with vessel arrest for the first time can take a lot of effort, understanding and hours. Understanding the potential reasons behind vessel...
What is a maritime lien?
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...
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...