A maritime lawyer is part of the admiralty legal system, which deals with vehicles, people, companies, and business transactions that occur in territorial and international waters. Maritime lawyers represent the interests of ocean-related commerce in this capacity. Seamen, longshoremen, yacht brokers, marine suppliers, and any other operator whose work takes place in the ocean are included. Maritime or admiralty law also applies to offshore oil rigs and/or platforms, as well as any water-related incident. As a result, a maritime lawyer’s education must include a thorough understanding of the laws governing maritime collisions, recreational boating, and even salvage claims.
Admiralty law dates back to the time when the Mediterranean Sea served as a major trade route for the early Egyptians and Greeks. Special tribunals were established in port towns along the Mediterranean coast during this time to hear seafarer disputes. Legal sea codes were written over time and used in ports all over Europe.
Piracy and naval disciplinary matters were dealt with English admiralty courts the 14th century. Maritime lawyers eventually took on commercial matters as well. Maritime law had spread to the American colonies the 1600s, and the newly formed United States government granted the federal courts exclusive jurisdiction over admiralty law in 1789.
Today’s maritime attorneys practice law that combines the old and the new, with a national and international scope. Because the dangers that seamen face haven’t gone away, traditional principles regarding their welfare haven’t changed. The same cannot be said for laws governing naval architecture and cargo handling; the types of vessels used in sea travel, as well as the types of cargo transported, have evolved over time. In addition, as a result of some current seafaring practices, maritime law has had to consider liability issues related to pollution and marine ecology damage. Today’s ocean vessels, for example, may transport natural gas, which can be dangerous if handled incorrectly.
International voyages are still common, so a maritime lawyer must work within the bounds of international shipping and customs agreements. These conventions have become the cornerstone of modern maritime law. A maritime lawyer must also be familiar with the specific boating laws that govern water-related injuries or losses, which can differ significantly from those that govern land vehicles or accidents.