U.S. Maritime Regulations

Also referred to as admiralty law, U.S. maritime law involves a series of legally enforceable regulations that comprehensively cover the gamut of maritime issues, including (but not limited to):

emergency response procedures
licensing and registration
required equipment
proper training
workplace safety

A number of different agencies enforce particular and distinct U.S. maritime regulations. These agencies include (but aren't limited to):

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
United States Coast Guard (USCG).

OSHA Maritime Regulations

Operating under the Department of Labor, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is an agency that enforces workplace safety regulations (in all industries, including the maritime industry) to prevent work-related injuries and deaths.

To this end, OSHA maritime regulations include legally enforceable policies regarding (but not limited to):

longshoring and marine terminals
crane use
deep-water work
diving operations
emergency response procedures
general working conditions (in shipyards, as well as aboard watercraft)
vessel demolition

When OSHA maritime regulations are violated, this agency has the jurisdiction to issue citations that must be posted:

in its unedited form
where the violation occurred or the injured employee(s) can see it
for three days or until the violation is repaired/brought up to OSHA standards

Evidence of OSHA maritime violations can be grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. For a complete list of current OSHA maritime regulations, click here

U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Regulations

The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the federal government that is responsible for enforcing maritime laws in both domestic and international waters. While the USCG operates under the Department of Homeland Security in peacetime, in wartime, the President or Congress can transfer to the Department of the Navy.

The USCG enforces a vast body of maritime law and regulations that are primarily aimed at ensuring marine safety. However, those that tend to come into play more frequently include ensuring that vessels carry the required identification and safety equipment, including:

current vessel registration papers
boater license or education card
personal flotation devices for each individual aboard the watercraft
fire extinguisher (This only applies for vessels that are over 26 ft long and/or have closed living quarters, permanently fixed fuel tanks and/or inboard engines.)
sound producing devices, such as air horns
visual distress signals, such as flares
navigation lights

Violating any USCG maritime regulation can merit punishments that range from fines to arrest and, in the worst cases, jail time.

For a complete list of current USCG maritime regulations and policies, click here

Have you or a loved one been injured as a result of a maritime regulation violation? If so, contact us today to consult with an experienced maritime attorney who will thoroughly evaluate your case, free of charge, to see whether you qualify to seek monetary compensation.

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U.S. Maritime Regulations

OSHA Maritime Regulations

U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Regulations

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