Ask a Maritime Attorney - Page 56 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.

The Boatyard’s Lift Dropped My Boat. What Should I Do?

February 19, 2009

My boat was damaged in a shipyard incident when a winch failed on the yard’s mobile hoist. The yard has offered to fix the boat, but they refuse to compensate me for my loss of use of the boat or for my own time that I have...

Can My Boat Qualify for a Homestead Exemption?

February 5, 2009

In a recent conversation with an attorney, he suggested a way to protect my boat from being seized or attached by a potential creditor would be to “homestead” the boat. Since it is my home and I claim a homeowner’s...

Will My Boat’s Insurance Cover a Liveaboard Renter?

January 22, 2009

I am trying to sell my boat. I have it listed with a reputable broker, but the prospects for a quick sale do not look very good. I was recently approached by a person who is looking for an inexpensive place to live on the...

Does the Coast Guard Charge for Rescues or Assistance?

January 8, 2009

I am considering membership in a commercial assistance towing service for my boat, but I am a little confused about the interaction between these services and the U.S. Coast Guard. Under what circumstances will the Coast...

I’m Renovating My Boat: What About Its Insurance Value?

December 24, 2008

I am applying for insurance on a boat that I am about to purchase. The insurance application materials look for answers to quite a few mundane questions, but I was wondering about the significance of the purchase price and...