Media Reaction News

Is the Limitation of Liability Act Still Relevant? In the aftermath of the El Faro disaster, that vessel’s owners exercised their right to file a petition to limit their liability in accordance with the U.S. Shipowner’s Limitation of Liability Act, 46 USC §30501, et seq. This evoked negative press and social media reaction with a now-familiar refrain: Why should a shipowner escape full liability for a disaster by hiding behind a 19th-century (i.e., outdated, antique, ancient) statute?

The Global Maritime and Transportation School at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy along with co-sponsor American Military University will convene its second annual Piracy Countermeasure Seminar on June 23 and June 24. The seminar will take place aboard the Academy’s scenic waterfront campus conveniently located in Kings Point, N.Y. on the North Shore of Long Island just outside of New York City. This two day seminar offers practical analysis of the maritime industry’s newest, best practices as well as proven seaborne preventive steps developed in response to current piracy operations off Somalia and other choke points and piracy hot spots around the globe. The first day will examine piracy’s socio-economic, business and political dynamic.