Description

An Essential Legal Resource for the Maritime Industry 

While written with ship Masters in mind, this guide is a valuable educational tool for professionals across the maritime sector. Chief Officers, shipowners, P&I Clubs, officers in training, and maritime training institutions will all benefit from the insights it offers. 

The Master’s Practical Guide to Maritime Law is: 

• A detailed and practical reference grounded in real-world scenarios 

• Designed to help Masters navigate legal responsibilities and protect themselves within the legal framework 

• Equally valuable for experienced Masters looking to refresh their knowledge and for those preparing for their first command 

• A clear, accessible guide to common legal challenges, helping safeguard both the Master’s position and the shipowner’s interests 

• Comprehensive in scope, covering both criminal and commercial aspects of maritime law 

Contents:  

Abbreviations 

Definitions 

Editorial notes 

Part 1 

General 

Chapter 1 Introducing the Law 

Introduction
Law
Applicable law on board
Legal system
How the law is divided up
International law
National law
Maritime zones and jurisdictions
Master?s best practices 

Chapter 2 

The Master’s responsibilities to the shipowner 

2.1 Introduction 

2.2 The Master’s roles and tasks 

2.3 Statutory tasks 

2.4 Technical tasks 

2.5 Commercial tasks 

2.6 Some specific tasks for the Master 

2.7 Master’s best practice 

Chapter 3 

Master’s overriding authority and discretion 

3.1 Introduction 

3.2 Master’s discretion for safety and the marine environment 

3.3 Master’s discretion for safety and security 

3.4 Master’s overriding authority 

3.5 Summary of the Master’s overriding authority and discretion 

3.6 Master’s best practices 

Chapter 4 

Personnel management 

4.1 Introduction 

4.2 Master and personnel management 

4.3 Management of shipboard health and quarantine 

4.4 Master’s best practices 

Chapter 5 

Master’s liability, accountability, responsibility and risks 

5.1 Introduction 

5.2 Liability 

5.3 Accountability 

5.4 Responsibility 

5.5 Limits on liability, accountability and responsibility 

5.6 Risks 

5.8 Negligence 

5.9 Master’s best practices 

Chapter 6 

Third persons on board 

6.1 Introduction 

6.2 Third persons on board 

6.3 Master’s best practices 

Part 2 

Statutory/legal 

Chapter 7 

Master’s criminal accountability and criminal 

investigation authority 

7.1 Introduction 

7.2 Master and criminal accountability 

7.3 Master and criminal investigation authority 

7.4 Master’s best practices 

Chapter 8 

General average and particular average 

8.1 Introduction 

8.2 Particular average 

8.3 General average 

8.4 Keeping records and reporting 

8.5 Master’s best practices 

Chapter 9 

Master?s role in marine casualty and accident 

investigation procedures 

9.1 Introduction 

9.2 International law 

9.3 Marine safety investigation 

9.4 Master’s best practices 

Chapter 10 

Maritime security 

10.1 Introduction 

10.2 Cyber security 

10.3 Piracy 

10.4 Stowaways 

10.5 Migrants, refugees and asylum seekers 

10.6 Master’s best practices 

Part 3 

Commercial 

Chapter 11 

Marine insurance: Hull and Machinery (H&M) and Protection and Indemnity (P&I) 

11.1 Introduction 

11.2 H&M insurance 

11.3 P&I insurance 

11.4 Legal context 

11.5 Master’s best practices 

Chapter 12 

Risk management of cargo handling and ship stability 

12.1 Introduction 

12.2 Risk management of cargo handling 

12.3 Stability and risk management 

12.4 Master’s best practices 

Chapter 13 

Towage and salvage compared 

13.1 Introduction 

13.2 Towage 

13.3 Salvage 

13.4 Towing or salvage 

13.5 Master’s best practices 

Chapter 14 

Carriage of goods by sea: common carrier versus private carrier 

14.1 Introduction 

14.2 Common carrier 

14.3 Private carrier 

14.4 Master’s best practices 

Chapter 15 

The Master’s contractual obligations in cargo management 

15.1 Introduction 

15.2 Dangerous goods 

15.3 Wet cargo 

15.4 Dry cargo 

15.5 Master’s best practices 

Chapter 16 

Charterparties’ fundamental terms 

16.1 Introduction 

16.2 Charterparties 

16.3 Main types of charter 

16.4 Allocation of costs 

16.5 List of charterparty terms 

16.6 Master’s best practices 

Chapter 17 

Shipowner’s and charterer’s risks and responsibilities 

17.1 Introduction 

17.2 Risks 

17.3 Responsibilities 

17.4 Master’s best practices 

Chapter 18 

Laytime and demurrage 

18.1 Introduction 

18.2 Laytime 

18.3 Demurrage and despatch 

18.4 Master’s best practices 

Chapter 19 

Documentation 

19.1 Introduction 

19.2 Notice of readiness 

19.3 Paper bill of lading 

19.4 Electronic bill of lading 

19.5 Letter of indemnity 

19.6 Mate’s receipt and tally 

19.7 Note of protest 

19.8 Waybills 

19.9 Signing of documents 

19.10 Master’s best practices 

Chapter 20 

Cargo damage 

20.1 Introduction 

20.2 Types of cargo damage 

20.3 Master, cargo damage and liability 

20.4 Master’s best practices 

Chapter 21 

Ship damage by cargo or during cargo operations 

21.1 Introduction 

21.2 Types of damage to the ship from cargo 

21.3 Master and ship damage by cargo 

21.4 Master’s best practices 

Appendices 

Appendix A Useful maritime abbreviations 

Appendix B International maritime agreements 

Appendix C Examples of documents 

Appendix D References 

Appendix E Glossary of maritime legal terms 

Index