Ask a Maritime Attorney - Page 48 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.

Will Changes in Laws Following the Gulf Oil Disaster Affect Pleasureboaters?

September 17, 2010

I have read some news reports about pending changes to various provisions of federal maritime law as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil well disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. Can you shed some light on this? Will the changes...

What’s the Owner’s Liability, If His Rotting Private Dock Floats Away?

September 3, 2010

I am a waterfront property owner with a pier and fixed dock platform located in Northern California. The adjacent property owner has allowed his fixed pier and floating concrete dock to go into disrepair following damage to...

Can Crewmembers Ignore Race Protest Hearing Decisions and Sue a Boat Owner?

August 20, 2010

I am a regular crewmember on a 40-foot racing yacht. Prior to this year’s Newport-to-Ensenada Race, I had a discussion with the owner of the boat about the racing rules in general — and, specifically, about whether an...

Can a Boat Repairer Get a Maritime Lien on a Vessel He Co-owns?

August 3, 2010

Several years ago, I entered into a verbal agreement with a boat owner to help restore a classic motoryacht. I knew in advance that the owner would not have funds to pay me, so I asked that he make me a partner in the boat in...

Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer or a Maritime Attorney?

July 22, 2010

I was injured last year in a boating accident, and I am having problems dealing with the boat owner’s insurance company. I decided to contact a lawyer, and a friend referred me to a personal injury attorney who had...