Dealing with U.S. and international laws and regulations concerning the maritime industry can be challenging without guidance from highly experienced professionals. Fowler White’s Maritime Group, the oldest standing maritime practice in Florida, regularly handles complex maritime matters throughout the U.S. and around the world.
We represent all facets of the marine industry, including major cargo carriers, cruise lines, commercial and yacht owners, operators and charterers, shippers, consignees, marina operators, terminal operators, related marine interests and their insurers.
Our maritime attorneys have handled transactions and litigation involving virtually all marine matters such as ship financing and sales, yacht purchase and sales, new yacht construction, groundings, collisions, pollution incidents, cargo damage and regulatory compliance.
Protection & Indemnity Clubs / Marine Insurers
Fowler White’s Maritime Group has particular expertise in the representation of Protection & Indemnity Clubs and actively represents most of the members of the International Group of P&I Clubs. We provide a wide range of legal services to the Clubs, other marine insurers and their insureds and members.
Litigation
We handle the full range of maritime-related litigation, including commercial disputes, liens and vessel seizures, cargo damage, collisions, salvage and wreck removal, products liability, natural resource damage, and hull and cargo claims. We also handle personal injury and wrongful death suits by passengers, crew and offshore workers.
The Maritime Group litigates cases in state and federal courts, as well as in alternative dispute resolution settings both in the U.S. and abroad. We also represent clients before governmental agencies such as the U.S. Coast Guard, Customs, Immigration, the Federal Maritime Commission, the National Transportation Safety Board and the Florida Department of Natural Resources.
Natural Resources & Pollution
The nature and challenges of marine operations can result in unforeseeable accidents. For several decades, our Maritime Group has been involved in the defense of claims against vessel owners, operators and insurers for oil spills, waste or hazardous discharges and damage to natural resources such as coral reefs, sea grass and mangroves.
Regulatory Compliance
Our attorneys counsel clients regarding compliance with the myriad regulations governing both the shipping and transportation industry. We assist with the development of compliance programs, defend against civil, criminal and administrative enforcement actions and provide regulatory advice regarding vessel documentation, inspection and operation.
Yacht & Vessel Transactions and Finance
Our Maritime Group represents owners of commercial vessels, yachts and pleasure boats in transactions and financing matters domestically and internationally. We help clients structure and negotiate commercial and yacht transactions and provide counsel regarding ownership, documentation and registration, chartering, joint ventures, strategic alliances, insurance and financing arrangements.
We negotiate and draft a variety of maritime-related contracts, such as purchase and sale agreements, charter agreements, bills of lading, terminal leases, vessel crew agreements and service contracts. We also represent borrowers and lenders in the financing of commercial vessel and yacht purchase and construction transactions.