Ask a Maritime Attorney - Page 50 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 Kind of Liability Release Is Required for a Raft-up?

March 19, 2010

Our yacht club organizes a series of cruises each year to various locations and harbors throughout Southern California. In the past, these events have called for us to raft our boats together, and we often have more than 20...

Taxing Questions About Personal Property Tax

March 5, 2010

I have a question regarding the assessment of property tax on a boat. I understand the tax bill is created Jan. 1 of each year, but the tax payment is not due until later in the year. If the boat is sold between Jan. 1 and...

Will Purchasing an LLC Avoid Sales Tax on a Yacht?

February 19, 2010

I am considering the purchase of a fairly expensive yacht that happens to be owned by a Delaware LLC. My yacht broker has advised that I can avoid paying sales tax on the purchase if I buy the LLC itself rather than the...

Do Coast Guard Charter Regulations Apply to Charity Auction Boat Trips?

February 7, 2010

I have been asked by my yacht club to research Coast Guard vessel and operator licensing issues relating to our club’s activities. We conduct several charity auctions every year, and our members will sometimes donate time...

Who’s at Fault in a Shipping Lane Collision?

February 4, 2010

I was recently a passenger aboard my brother in-law’s motoryacht during a pleasure trip to Catalina, when we had a close encounter with a merchant ship. We were in fairly thick fog, and we were steering a compass course...