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.

Distinguishing Authority

February 22, 2007
I participated in a vessel safety check conducted by the Coast Guard Auxiliary. The men who conducted the inspection were very professional. I was surprised by their uniforms, which appeared to be the same as those that are...

Warranty Woes

January 25, 2007
I purchased a new boat last year and have had nothing but problems since the first day. If it’s not one thing, it’s another. The dealer continues to fix the problems under the warranty, but a new issue seems to surface...

Battling Bankruptcy

January 11, 2007
I own a dive service and perform underwater maintenance and repairs for yacht owners. I unfortunately allowed one of my clients to run up a substantial (unpaid) bill and am now exploring my options for collecting the money....

Legality of Onboard Search Questioned

December 28, 2006
I was recently stopped by a Coast Guard cutter after leaving a waterfront restaurant in my boat. I was given a sobriety test by one member of the Coast Guard crew, while others searched my boat from bow to stern performing a...