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...
Admiralty & Maritime Defense
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,...
Where do international waters begin?
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...
A storm, a freighter and a collision with the Sunshine Skyway
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...
Liability laws vessel employers must consider
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...
Do life jackets and life preservers expire?
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...
How to handle workplace injuries on your vessels
Sometimes, no matter how safe your place of business is, workplace injuries can happen. When your company is floating out at sea, the risks are far greater than a brick and mortar on land. Maritime law is complex, and companies need to take extra care when the...
What is vessel arrest?
When one of your vessels gets served with an arrest warrant, it may mean your business shuts down for a while. Trying to sort out a vessel arrest may take time, especially if it is your first experience with it. There are several reasons why your vessel may face...