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Maritime Law Flashcards

7 cards from real Maritime Law practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. What is a 'bareboat' (demise) charter and how does it differ from a time charter?

    Answer: A bareboat charter transfers full possession and control of the vessel to the charterer, who becomes the owner pro hac vice; a time charter does not

    Under a bareboat charter, the charterer takes complete control of the vessel and is responsible for crew, insurance, and operations, making them the owner for legal purposes during the charter period.

  2. What is 'piracy' under international maritime law as defined by UNCLOS?

    Answer: Illegal acts of violence or detention for private ends committed on the high seas by a private ship against another ship or persons thereon

    UNCLOS Article 101 defines piracy as illegal acts of violence, detention, or depredation committed for private ends on the high seas by crew or passengers of a private ship against another ship.

  3. What does the 'unseaworthiness' doctrine provide to an injured seaman beyond what the Jones Act offers?

    Answer: Strict liability against the vessel owner without requiring proof of negligence

    The unseaworthiness doctrine imposes absolute liability on shipowners for vessel conditions that are not reasonably fit for their intended purpose, without requiring proof of negligence.

  4. Under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90), what triggered its enactment?

    Answer: The Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska in 1989

    OPA 90 was enacted in direct response to the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster, establishing strict liability for oil spills and creating the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund.

  5. What is the 'doctrine of laches' and how does it apply in admiralty cases?

    Answer: An equitable defense barring claims when unreasonable delay has prejudiced the opposing party, used in place of a fixed statute of limitations in some admiralty claims

    Laches bars admiralty claims where the claimant's unreasonable delay in asserting rights has caused prejudice to the defendant, serving as an equitable substitute for statutes of limitations in some maritime contexts.

  6. Which SOLAS chapter specifically addresses requirements for life-saving appliances on passenger and cargo vessels?

    Answer: Chapter III

    SOLAS Chapter III covers life-saving appliances and arrangements, including lifeboats, liferafts, immersion suits, and emergency signaling equipment.

  7. What is a 'port state control' inspection and what authority does it confer?

    Answer: The right of a port state to inspect foreign-flagged vessels entering its ports to verify compliance with international safety and environmental standards

    Port state control allows states to inspect foreign vessels in their ports under international conventions like SOLAS and MARPOL, and to detain deficient ships until violations are corrected.