The European Union appealed to Russian authorities demanding the immediate release of Lithuanian fishing boat Juros Vilkas, detained in the Barents Sea on suspicion of poaching. In a posted statement, the EU External Action Service commented on situation: "We are concerned by the forced apprehension of the Lithuanian fishing vessel "J?ros Vilkas" by Russian border guards in … [Read more...]
Blank Rome Named Best Admiralty and Maritime Law Firm
NEW YORK-- US News and World report has released the results for 2013 “Best Law Firm”, naming Blank Rome LLP as the top firm for Admiralty and Maritime Law. “Best Law Firms” rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys in their field, and review of … [Read more...]
I’m On A Boat… Or Am I? Age-Old Debate Goes Before Supreme Court
By Brent Kendall Maritime law is as old as the republic, yet we continue to argue about what counts as a boat. The Supreme Court was home to that debate Monday as the justices heard arguments to decide if a Florida floating home was a vessel. Arguing yes was the city of Riviera Beach, which in 2009 used federal maritime law to have the structure "arrested" and towed away … [Read more...]
MV Rena’s Senior Officers Plead Guilty in New Zealand Court
The Master and Second Officer of the cargo vessel Rena today pleaded guilty to 10 out of the 11 charges laid by Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) against the men following an investigation into the ship's grounding on the Astrolabe Reef off Tauranga on 5 October. MNZ charged the Master and the ship's Second Officer (Navigation) with a number of offences following the ship's … [Read more...]
Bollinger responds to DOJ lawsuit
Bollinger Shipyards has issued a statement in response yesterday's lawsuit filed against them by the U.S. Department of Justice. The complaint alleges that Bollinger Shipyards made "material false statements" to the USCG in order to win a series of cutter conversions back in 2006. The U.S. says that Bollinger “misrepresented” hull strength in a proposal to … [Read more...]