Centuries of trade have defined many different trade routes throughout Asia based on favourable currents and winds that made trade commercially viable. While wind and currents are no longer essential to use these routes, they remain historically and legally essential for the transit of vessels from; commercial shipping through to fishing and the smaller cruising craft and the modern day…
Maritime Insurance The origin of insurance itself is water-bound. Maritime insurance is considered one of the earliest well-developed forms of insurance, with its origins in the Greek and Roman maritime loans of the 18th Century. Today, In Australia, marine insurance policy contracts are governed by the Marine Insurance Act 1909 (MIA). Marine ‘adventures’ and ‘perils’ Under MIA, contracts of marine…
Scientists and the petroleum industry no longer are the sole explorers of the Arctic. With the melting polar ice caps new routes are opening up to places only a privileged few could have had passage to in the past. Icebreakers were almost a necessity for the few scientific and cargo vessels that dared to gaze upon the ivory hills. Therefore,…
By Marcel Vaarzon-Morel Aims of AMSA Under AMSA (Australian Maritime Safety Association) new National Standards have several aims, including simplifying maritime safety laws, removing barriers to inter-state commercial business activities; providing uniform safety requirements and standards; and providing a national framework for enforcement and compliance with these standards. Under the National Standards, AMSA becomes the national regulator, and has its…
Recent criminal charges brought against the Captain of a ship travelling through the Great Barrier reef raise the question of pilotage of Superyachts through this most precious and spectacular of Marine Parks. Two days after the 2015 New Years Eve, Vaarzon-Morel Lawyers represented an unlucky Chinese captain who found himself miles from home languishing in the lock-up under Newcastle Court…
At the end of 2014 Christmas for most of us was a busy time of year, running out of time to complete the last minute end of year jobs, being rushed to purchase gifts and those festive foods is all pretty normal. But for my client the pressure was really on to have his beautiful Superyacht successfully launched and sailing…
From armed conflicts to delivering pizza it is undeniable that drones are becoming part of our every day living. And like the smart phone soon we will wonder how people got along without this technology, of course there will be those who feel its all gone to far. But like it or hate it drones are increasing in numbers and…
Marine Salvors Today Even with all the modern technology Superyachts are susceptible to the elements of the sea and can become stranded by running aground or some other misadventure. In some circumstances you may able to do little more than don a lifejacket, transmit a mayday message and prepare your crew to abandon ship. Both you and your vessel are…
Mooring is not what it used to be. Where and how your vessel is moored is a major concern for boat owners around the world, particularly as mooring costs do not reduce and competition for space increases. A common theme amongst boat owners is that they all want the peace of mind in knowing that their vessel is easily accessible,…
Boat Show Traps and Pitfalls Recently at the Sanctuary Cove boat show in Queensland, Australia I saw several signs on vessels similar to, ‘Vessel On Loan By The Owner’. And while on face value this appears to be the act of a good samaritan, by helping out its respective broker or builder, the questions I found myself asking were what…