On behalf of Sayer Regan & Thayer of Sayer Regan & Thayer, LLP on Wednesday, April 25, 2018.

Maritime law refers to the laws that govern nautical matters and maritime businesses. Essentially, these are the laws of the ocean.

Maritime laws are kept up to date thanks to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) conventions. These conventions were created in 1958 and make sure all existing maritime laws are kept current. The conventions also make sure that new laws and arrangements are made when necessary.

There are three conventions you should know, including the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch-Keeping and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships. To keep up with current technology and new business practices, these conventions have to be updated regularly.

Another thing to keep in mind with maritime law is where your ship is registered. If your ship is not registered in the United States, your case could fall under another country’s laws. The country of registration determines the nationality of any ship on the water. Usually, this is the country where a business’ owners live or work. However, some owners are registered in other countries for convenience.

Maritime laws seem like they’re always changing. For someone who is hurt in the boating community, it’s hard to even begin to understand how international laws or maritime conventions could affect him or her. Working with an attorney familiar in maritime law saves you time and effort, so you can focus on your own recovery. Our website has more on what to do if you are hurt in a maritime accident in Rhode Island.

These materials have been prepared by SRT for informational purposes only and are not intended and should not be construed as legal advice.