A Guide for Maritime Law

A maritime attorney is a lawyer who focuses on laws that concern navigable waters. Typically, a maritime attorney must acquire a law degree and also pass all the tests and exams. Nevertheless, this kind of lawyer only specializes in the issues that are associated with maritime law.

It is essential to get the best lawyer when you are associated with water, boats, or issues under maritime law. If you need an attorney, there are companies with highly experienced attorneys like Naylor Law dedicated to helping you solve your case.

Definition of Maritime Law

Have you ever asked yourself what maritime law is?

Maritime law is also called admiralty law. Maritime law consists of many laws, treaties, and conventions governing:

  • Nautical matters such as offense and shipping that happen on the water surface
  • Private maritime industry

There are national rules that guide the use of the oceans and seas. Such rules are known as the laws of the sea, which are a collection of laws and agreements under maritime law. These laws control the behavior and activities on the sea, including how business is done in global waters and how people interact. Maritime law specializes in international waters.

Regulations and Events in Navigable Waters

Maritime law applies to events that occur in navigable waters. Everyone who travels on cruise ships, including on the high seas, should comply with these laws. These laws control a variety of activities and possible events, which include:

  • Navigation
  • Leisure travel
  • Commerce
  • Interaction between employees and seamen
  • Lost cargo

Navigable waters involve any water body in which seamen do their work and also vessels that dock on the water, though they may not be navigating. Water vessels that aren’t navigating nevertheless must be able to move in the water. The typical maritime law covers everyone working on any water vessel with the ability to get out of the sea, but if an individual who works in a water vessel cannot move on, the water is not covered.

Maritime law controls:

  • Maritime Insurance
  • Transport of goods and passengers
  • Processes of shipping contracts and ships such as registration, licensing, and inspection

Principles of Maritime Law

There are specific principles and rules which apply to the waters. They include:

Duties to Customers

The person in charge of a ship needs to care for every client. For instance, when a ship is carrying cargo for a certain client, the shipowner has the responsibility of keeping the goods safe in the process of loading and discharge.

Disputes, Agreements, and Contracts

Contracts and agreements between two companies that do business on the water include defaults on liabilities for maritime events or disputes that include maritime employees. There must be a medium to resolve issues. The contract issues around the United States are resolved in federal courts.

Duties to Passengers

If a ship is carrying a passenger, the owner has to care for the passenger. When a claim arises during a journey, the shipowner is always liable.

Lifesaving on Water

As there is no right to their awarding someone who saves another person’s life, the obligation of trying their best to save individuals in peril is given to the seamen, including care and maintenance.

Treasure and Salvage

Lost treasure and lost cargo need a fair division. Commonly, the party which owns the property is given the right to the property, though the party that recovered the property has the right to get a reward. Salvage cargos may include historical artifacts or money.

When is a Marine Lawyer Required?

An attorney can help you solve your case if it applies to maritime law. Depending on how your case affects water activities, you might or might not be involved in admiralty jurisdiction.

A few of the common reasons why you need a maritime lawyer include:

  • Injuries
  • Pollution
  • Dock Incidents
  • Boat Crashes

A maritime attorney is the perfect person to help you in such instances. A maritime lawyer has experience and knowledge concerning all the laws of water. It is advisable to get an experienced maritime lawyer who will help you figure out your case.

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