Marine Law

Boating Services

Through relationships with partner firms we are able to offer our clients particular expertise in many areas.

The team, all based in Southampton, England includes individuals with sea-going qualifications and leisure yachting industries and includes former City of London shipping lawyers with extensive experience in their fields.

Registration

We offer a fixed fee registration service, with a simple on-line facility if required. We take care of all the formalities, including tonnage measurement surveys and ensure that title documentation is in order before applications are submitted to the Registry. We can also arrange carving and marking if required.

For registration of vessel exceeding 15 meters or a vessel of any size lying abroad please contact us for a formal fixed price quotation.

Should the vessel currently be registered abroad, further sums will be required in order to obtain transcripts and certified copies of the foreign registry concerned and translations thereof. Please contact us for further information and a formal quotation.

Click to Contact us about Yacht Registration

Contracts and Agreements

We advise clients on the purchase and construction of new boats, including the passing of title, stage payments and warranties.

We are also instructed in connection with contracts for the purchase of second-hand boats. This typically involves investigating the title of the boat concerned, de-registration from a foreign registry, payment and forfeiture of deposits. We also advise clients in respect of unfavourable survey results and late delivery.

We can advise in relation to charter and management agreements, distribution agreements and franchising.

Surveyors Negligence

We are called upon to assist boat owners with disputes involving surveyors following pre-purchase condition survey reports which have failed to identify defects in boats subsequently purchased.

Crew Agreements

We are experienced in drafting agreements for both yacht skippers, crews and delivery skippers. Being Members of the Professional Yachtsmen’s Association, (PYA) we are often instructed by members of that Association to assist in the preservation and enforcement of contractual rights.

Criminal Proceedings

We have considerable experience in defending boat owners prosecuted by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency for breaches of regulations, including the International Collision Regulations.

Insurance Disputes

Disputes concerning policy coverage, policy wording, non-disclosure of material facts and insured values are just some of the issues for which we receive instructions.

Personal Injury Claims

We are instructed by insurers on behalf of boat and marina owners, operators and boatyards to defend claims brought against them for personal injuries suffered by crew, marina users and employees. We are conveniently situated to investigate and evaluate liability for such incidents occurring across the south coast.

Collision and Salvage

We are ideally located for rapid response to collision and salvage incidents. We can attend the boats concerned, inspect the damage, interview witnesses, collect all relevant evidence and assess potential liabilities quickly. We can pursue or defend salvage claims and may also act as arbitrators in salvage disputes.

Arrest

Our clients are often surprised to discover that they are entitled to arrest a boat to recover outstanding sums due to them. Arresting a yacht is a fast and extremely effective means of recovery.

Claims for which this remedy may be available include:

Cost of equipment supplied
Fees for repairs undertaken
Overdue management fees
Berthing or mooring fees
Crew wages
Salvage remuneration
Compensation for collision damage
Dispute as to ownership

Marina Developments

We act for marina developers and operators and have been involved in major local developments.

If you wish to discuss your requirements, please do contact us.