To the professional salvor, the principle of “No cure - No pay” is one of the most inequitable rules to be adopted by the admiralty courts. Under this principle, the skilled and professional salvor will receive no salvage reward in the event that his salvage efforts fail, or in the... Read More »
Oct
05
Oct
05
Whether a boatowner knows it or not, there are two occasions upon which he will warrant to his marine insurer that his vessel and all of its appurtenances are in tight, staunch, and seaworthy condition. No words need to be spoken and nothing needs to be written in order for... Read More »
Oct
05
While many rules of maritime law originated in ancient times and have been passed along through the ages, there are other rules that have suddenly arisen as the result of legislation or judicial decisions. The implied warranty of workmanlike performance (“WWLP”) is just such a rule, since it owes its... Read More »
Oct
05
The cost of health care has made health insurance a critical necessity for most families. In an intact family, generally at least one spouse will have health insurance coverage provided as an employment benefit that covers the entire family. However, upon divorce, the non-employee spouse may no longer qualify for... Read More »
Oct
05
Property found in or near the water may take many forms - from a derelict vessel found drifting on the current, to a whale or lump of ambergris washed up on a beach, to a chest full of Spanish doubloons found buried in the sandy bottom. In each case, the... Read More »
Sep
18
Near the end of the 2000 legislative session, the Maryland General Assembly passed a bill that significantly expands the class of individuals that are exempt from paying Maryland inheritance tax. Shortly after the bill was approved by the legislature, Governor Paris N. Glendening signed the bill, making it a law... Read More »
Aug
30
The Court of Special Appeals of Maryland recently affirmed a few understood yet not entirely verified rules of law relating to the establishment and enforcement of mechanic’s liens brought by laborers of a subcontractor. Aside from drawing what is now a bright-line interpretation of Maryland’s mechanic’s lien statute on this... Read More »
Jan
01
Every year, hundreds of boaters discover first-hand the difference between contract towing and salvage. In many cases, the discovery is made when the surprised boat owner receives a bill for a salvage reward as opposed to a bill for towing services. (more…)