An important decision affecting vicarious liability for Jones Act employers for the acts of their employees was issued August 14, 2012 by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. The decision, an action against Hercules Drilling Company represented by LeBlanc Bland…
The first jet boat drivers in the country to be licensed under a change to maritime rules receive their licenses in Queenstown.The New Zealand jet boating industry has 42 operators carrying more than 370,000 passengers a year. Associate…
The International Longshore & Warehouse Union ILWU file a federal lawsuit against the Port of Portland & Bill Wyatt, its Executive Director.The ILWU filed a federal lawsuit against the Port of Portland and Bill Wyatt, its Executive Director…
ION Geophysical Corporation announce verdict on marine survey streamer control system, vow to overturn it.ION Geophysical Corporation announce the jury returned a verdict against Ion in a patent infringement lawsuit filed against them by WesternGeco L…
The Federal Aviation Administration has again ruled that the Cape Wind wind farm off the Massachusetts coast poses no hazard to local airplanes.According to source WSLS10, a federal appeals court had ordered the agency to reconsider its previous finding…
Attorney for a Maine shipyard worker accused of setting a fire that caused $400 million in damage seeks to avoid grand jury indictment.Prosecutors say Casey James Fury, 24, of Portsmouth, N.H., confessed to setting a fire in May that damaged the Miami at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard…
More Charges for Alleged Somali Pirates Indicted for Attack of the USS Ashland. A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Virginia has returned a second superseding indictment, charging five men from Somalia with engaging in piracy…
China initiates a trial program in Shanghai designed to help the nation’s beleaguered shipowners.Under the new policy by the Ministry of Transport, ships leased by shipping companies from financing firms could be regarded as part of the owner’s…
Government of Panama approves canal tolls increases effective Ocober 2012.The Government of Panama has approved the proposal to restructure and apply selective increases in the Panama Canal pricing system, effective from 1 October 2012 to 1 October 2013…
Whale Watch Alaska condemns manhunt for 'Sea Shepherd' captain.In light of the news late last month that Sea Shepherd’s founder, Captain Paul Watson, had forfeited his bail after being held under house arrest for 70 days in Germany, WWA made…
New York law firm Ronai & Ronai file a compensation claim on behalf of a victim of the 'Costa Concordia' shipwreck.The federal lawsuit has been filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on behalf of the family of Hungarian violinist Sandor Feher…
New shipping fairways being progressively introduced in August 2012 off the coasts of NW Australia.Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Anthony Albanese recently announced the fairways saying commercial shipping was vital to Australia’s…
International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) welcomes halt to European Commission (EC) probe on P&I clubs.International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), which represents over 80% of the world merchant fleet, has welcomed the decision by the European…
Congressman Duncan Hunter Meets with Skye Maritime on the Challenges Facing the U.S. Private Maritime Security Industry. Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA), a Marine combat veteran and member for the House Armed Services Committee, met with senior executives at Skye Maritime…
Blank Rome’s Jeffrey Moller Appointed to Navigation Safety Advisory Council.Jeffrey S. Moller, Blank Rome LLP Partner and Product Liability, Mass Torts, insurance Practice Group Leader has been appointed to the Navigation Safety Advisory…