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.

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...

What Happens When a Seller Backs Out of a Boat Sale After a Grounding?

February 1, 2012

I am a licensed yacht salesman in California, and I am representing a boat owner under an “open” listing agreement for the sale of his boat. We were approached by another yacht brokerage with a potential buyer, and the...

Can My Coast Guard-Documented Boat Be Seized by a County Sheriff?

January 18, 2012

I was sued in small claims court last year by a marine engine mechanic who did some work on my boat. We had a dispute over whether the job was properly completed, so I decided to withhold my final payment until the problem...