Published: February 2009
As you sail around the world you will come into contact with various rules and regulations, some of which you are familiar with and others not, especially those applicable only to the country that the ship is visiting. However, maritime law is designed to be internationally applied wherever a ship is and, in theory at least, is designed to deal with maritime incidents regardless of flag or administration.
There are a number of books dealing with all the aspects of maritime law and business and 'The Shipmaster's Business Companion' by Malcolm Maclachlan is an excellent book for those wishing to delve further into maritime law, particularly for British vessels. However, the aim of this book 'Captains Legal' is to explain, in plain language, the laws for incidents and problems that a Master might encounter on an average vessel, of any registration, while going about normal business on the seas and in the ports.
As this book will show, there is a time to wave the books of law around and there are times to sit down and negotiate. The art is knowing the time and place to do either of these.
Tug Fees $1,250, Berthing Dues $3,000, Pilotage Fees $1,750, Garbage Fine $250.
Catching the Last Tide Out; Priceless.
There are Some Things Money can Buy, for Everything Else There's a Shipmaster's Means of Persuasion.
