Maritime Articles
Please note that the following articles are for informational purposes only and do not institute any legal advice from Lochner Law Firm, P.C. See Legal Disclaimer page for more information.
Discussing the Legal Steps to Making Money with Your Boat
Boatinglaw's Todd Lochner sat down with Annapolis School of Seamanship to discuss the legal requirements needed to put your boat to work. From chartering to guided tours, learn about the vessel documentation required, regulations you should know and the steps to...
Foreign Flagging as a Solution to Import Tariffs; Not Just for Mega Yachts
Boatinglaw.com's Todd Lochner sat down with John Martino of Annapolis School of Seamanship (ASOS) to discuss the importance of registering your new, foreign built vessel under a foreign flag. In the video below, Todd discusses the impact of proposed tariffs on foreign...
The Importance of Offshore Flagging in the Face of Coming Tariffs
Imported goods from across the globe will soon become more expensive following the announced imposition of tariffs upon the countries manufacturing those imports. On April 2, 2025, President Trump revealed that the United States is scheduled to impose a 10% tariff on...
What is a Proctor in Admiralty?
There are very few Proctors in Admiralty actively practicing in the state of Maryland. This status is a good barometer to determine the experience level of an admiralty attorney. Historically after an attorney passed the usual regional bar exam he or she was required...
USCG Marine Casualty Reporting Procedures Guidelines
A "marine casualty or accident" as defined in 46 CFR 4.03-1 is broadly defined to capture a wide variety of occurances. The statutes and regulations provide the United States Coast Guard (USCG) the authority to investigate a wide range of occurances irrespective of...
Maryland Tax Cap for Vessels over $300,000
The Maryland General Assembly has passed Senate Bill 90, a law that caps Maryland’s vessel excise tax at $15,000 per vessel. For vessels under $300,000 the tax cap offers no benefit, but for vessels over $300,000 the tax savings can be enormous. The bill was proposed...
Vessel Brokers are Not Real Estate Brokers
On January 21, 2025 the United States District Court for the Southern District of FLorida issued its long anticipated ruling in the Ya Mon Expeditions Class Action lawsuit against the entire yacht brokerage industry (Ya Mon Expeditions, LLC et. al. v. International...
State Title or Documented Vessel?
To quote Mel Brooks "It is good to be the king." Every state wants to tax vessels which ply its waters for an extended period of time. Consequently, they require that vessels which fit within certain categories must be registered with the state. What this really means...
Product Liability — Boats and Boat Builders
Most people are familiar with the term "product liability" but when it comes right down to it, most people do not actually know what it means. It can be an issue of vital importance any time that there is a personal injury on the water, or involving a boat. Imagine...
Boat Brokers and Brokerage Agreements
Here at Boatinglaw, we were recently contacted by a seller who told the following story: he sold his boat the week prior through a broker on Kent Island, Maryland. The buyers surveyed and sea trialed the boat before closing, paid their money and received the keys and...
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Todd D. Lochner
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Chase A. Eshelman
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Eugene E. Samarin
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Greg R. Singer
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M. Aidan Collins
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