Mar 26, 20222 minCrew / people relatedSafe manning documentsDo safe manning documents account for onboard realities to accurately reflect the minimum number of seafarers required on a ship? Often,...
Oct 15, 20211 minNavigationVessels Restricted in Ability to Manoeuvre (RAM)A vessel that is ‘restricted in her ability to maneuver’ (RAM) enjoys certain privileges, for eg. those mentioned in Rule 18 of COLREGS....
Jun 15, 20212 minLimitation of liabilityError by crew / owner & Limitation of Liability in US Sluggish response to engine orders can get a ship into trouble, especially when there is a strong current. In the case of The American...
May 16, 20211 minBunkersContaminated bunkersDo you recall the Houston bunkers saga from 2018-19? Hundreds of vessels experienced mechanical failures due to contaminated bunkers....
May 9, 20211 minInsuranceUtmost good faith - owner not disclosing all factsThe doctrine of uberrimae fidei (utmost good faith) is an ancient one. Many countries have in the recent past moved away from it and...
Apr 30, 20211 minMaritime lienUnpaid bunker invoices and no lien clauses in C/PIn some states, like in the US, ‘bunkers’ are considered as ‘necessaries’ and an unpaid bunker supplier has a maritime lien against the...
Dec 31, 20201 minAmericasMARPOL violations in USMARPOL violations, typically of Annex I, on high seas is not uncommon and one state that has been aggressively pursuing such is US....
Dec 31, 20201 minOtherDo cruise liners have a duty to warn passengers about dangers of sexual crimes on ships?The Sun says cruise ships are cities without police! One of the crimes which is a problem is sexual assault. The question before a US...
Dec 31, 20201 minLimitation of liabilityDo duck boats & paddle boards have a close enough nexus to 'maritime'?One of the hallmarks [and peculiarities] of maritime law is the right accorded to ship owners, charterers, operators etc. to limit their...
Dec 31, 20201 minCyberBank transfer scam a reason to not honour payment obligations?If the buyer (or debtor) is a victim of a bank transfer scam, then can they argue that because payment was made in good faith (even...
Dec 31, 20201 minCovid-19Covid & 'fear' cases against cruise linersCan cruise ship passengers bring a ‘fear’ case for emotional distress against the owners even though they did not manifest any symptoms...
Dec 31, 20201 minSafe port / berthSafe berth clauses - is charterer's duty absolute?Safe berth clause in voyage charters – an express warranty of safety by the charterer? SCOTUS had to resolve this in The Athos I [2020]....