Maritime Law - Guide to Admiralty Law

The Admiralty and Maritime Law Committee of the American Bar Association Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section brings together plaintiffs' attorneys, defense attorneys and insurance industry counsel for the exchange of information and ideas. The Admiralty and Maritime Law Committee strives to serve as the primary resource for admiralty and maritime law tort and insurance practice education and knowledge.

The Admiralty and Maritime Law Guide includes over 1,500 annotated links to admiralty law resources on the Internet and a growing database of admiralty case digests, opinions and international maritime conventions.

Admiralty law or maritime law is the distinct body of law (both substantive and procedural) governing navigation and shipping. Topics associated with this field in legal reference works may include: shipping; navigation; waters; commerce; seamen; towage; wharves, piers, and docks; insurance; maritime liens; canals; and recreation. Piracy (ship hijacking) is also an aspect of admiralty.

Admiralty law (also referred to as maritime law) is a distinct body of law which governs maritime questions and offenses. It is a body of both domestic law governing maritime activities, and private international law governing the relationships between private entities which operate vessels on the oceans.

The Maritime Administration is the agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation dealing with waterborne transportation. Its programs promote the use of waterborne transportation and its seamless integration with other segments of the transportation system, and the viability of the U.S. merchant marine. The Maritime Administration works in many areas involving ships and shipping, shipbuilding, port operations, vessel operations, national security, environment, and safety. The Maritime Administration is also charged with maintaining the health of the merchant marine, since commercial mariners, vessels, and intermodal facilities are vital for supporting national security, and so the agency provides support and information for current mariners, extensive support for educating future mariners, and programs to educate America's young people about the vital role the maritime industry plays in the lives of all Americans.

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) was established as an independent regulatory agency by Reorganization Plan No. 7, effective August 12, 1961. Prior to that time, the Federal Maritime Board was responsible for both the regulation of ocean commerce and the promotion of the United States Merchant Marine. Under the reorganization plan, the shipping laws of the U.S. were separated into two categories: regulatory and promotional. The newly created FMC was charged with the administration of the regulatory provisions of the shipping laws.

Your Jones Act free resource for maritime injury recovery solutions. Federal Circuits' & State Decisions, Jones Act issues, Questions and answers.

The Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA) is an Act of Congress enacted by the 107th United States Congress to address port and waterway security. It was signed into law by President George W. Bush on November 25, 2002.

The Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998 (OSRA) represents a significant change in the regulation of the maritime shipping industry by the U.S. government. In considering OSRA, Congress was faced with the challenge of balancing the need to deregulate the maritime shipping industry with the requirement to provide oversight of ocean carrier practices. The legislation that emerged does so while recognizing that the industry is undergoing significant changes in its structure and in the nature of competition between carriers.

For over two centuries the U.S. Coast Guard has safeguarded our Nation’s maritime interests in the heartland, in the ports, at sea, and around the globe. We protect the maritime economy and the environment, we defend our maritime borders, and we save those in peril. This history has forged our character and purpose as America’s Maritime Guardian — Always Ready for all hazards and all threats.

Regulations by Secretary of the Army for navigation of waters generally; Regulations for navigation of South and Southwest Passes of Mississippi River; penalties; Regulations to prevent injuries from target practice; Water gauges on Mississippi River and tributaries; Use of Government iron pier in Delaware Bay; Toll free rivers in Alabama; Des Moines River as toll free; Waters in Louisiana Purchase as public highways; Authority for compact between Middle Northwest States as to jurisdiction of offenses committed on boundary waters; Port Arthur Ship Canal.

Title 46 of the United States Code outlines the role of shipping in the United States Code.

The mission of the Navy is to maintain, train and equip combat-ready Naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression and maintaining freedom of the seas.

MLA was founded in 1899 and today is the primary maritime law organization in the United States with over 3,600 members. The site provides a directory of its membership and an events calendar of significant maritime law related seminars and meetings.

In 1963, a small group of individuals active in maritime arbitration in New York saw the need to form an organization to promote sound arbitration and to establish ethical standards for its membership. They created the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc. (SMA), a professional, non-profit organization, to meet these needs.

Since its founding in 1923 by practicing maritime lawyers, American Maritime Cases has earned a reputation as the method to research all significant maritime decisions rendered by United States (Federal and State) courts. It also reports legislative action, administrative law decisions, arbitration decisions, Maritime Law Association of the U.S. source material and other items which are deemed significant to researching U.S. and Canadian law from time to time.

The Journal of Maritime Law and Commerce, a scholarly publication devoted to all aspects of admiralty and maritime law, including the law of the sea. In addition to information about the Journal's history, policies, and activities, you'll also find profiles of the Editors and Editorial Board.

A fee based newsletter concerning shipping law with links to the Lloyd's Law Reports and coverage of London and New York arbitrations.

Articles written by attorneys and experts worldwide discussing legal aspects related to Admiralty and Maritime including: boating, cruise and commercial ship accidents, Jones Act and ship registration.