Ask a Maritime Attorney - Page 60 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.

Do Foreign Boaters Have to Fly a Courtesy Flag?

May 15, 2008

We are the owners of a U.S.-flagged vessel, sailing around the world. We have always flown a new, correctly sized courtesy flag upon entering the territorial waters of a foreign country. The authorities in some countries...

How Can I Enforce a Lien in Canada?

May 1, 2008

I am a marine mechanic and I own a small boat repair company. Last year, I completed a fairly large job on a cruising sailboat and, when the owner failed to pay me, I recorded a lien notice with the Coast Guard. When I tried...

When to Challenge Your Insurance Company Over ‘Wear and Tear’

April 17, 2008

We own a large motoryacht and almost lost her last year when the propeller shaft broke in half during a voyage to Mexico. The boat would have sunk like a rock if the rudder had not prevented the broken end of the shaft from...

Should I Form a Corporation or LLC to ‘Own’ My Boat?

April 3, 2008

I am preparing to purchase a sportfishing yacht in the 40-foot range, and I have a couple of questions regarding title and registration. First, I am thinking of forming a corporation or LLC (limited liability corporation) to...

Can Lender Repossess Boat?

March 20, 2008

I own a documented vessel with a Preferred Ship Mortgage. I missed two payments, and my lender recently hired a private repossession company to pick up the boat. The bank said it will return the boat if I bring the loan...