Ask a Maritime Attorney - Page 40 of 66

David Weil has been the proud author of the “Ask a Maritime Attorney” column in The Southern California Log Newspaper and Sea Magazine since 2006, with over 300 installments of the column. We have provided links in this section to those articles, covering a wide range of topics of interest to the California maritime and boating communities.

Can I Sue My Marine Surveyor for a Low Appraisal?

April 11, 2012

I am in a dispute with a marine surveyor over a survey that he performed on my boat. I bought a boat that was a bank repossession. We got a really good deal, and similar boats were being sold at the time for more than twice...

Can My Marina Require Me to Pay for Pumpout Services I Don’t Use?

March 28, 2012

I have lived on my 50-foot sailboat in a Northern California marina for many years. During that time, I have been charged for a holding tank pumpout service every month, even though I have never used the service during the...

What Can I Do About a Mechanic’s Frivolous Lawsuit?

March 13, 2012

I recently hired a mechanic to troubleshoot a problem with one of the main engines on my 48-foot power boat. He left a message for me with his findings, and he started working on the repairs before I could get back to him. I...

Will Supreme Court Decision Affect the Rights of Marina Tenants?

March 1, 2012

I read in a news magazine that the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case involving the eviction of a houseboat from a marina in Florida. Is this correct? Will it have any impact on the rights of marina tenants in...

Why Seek a ‘Federal Vessel Arrest’ Instead of a State Court Judgment?

February 14, 2012

I won a $15,000 judgment against a boat owner in state court. The judgment related to repair work that I did on the boat — and, since the boat is documented with the Coast Guard, I recorded a notice of claim of lien against...