Maritime Law

Maritime law is the body of law that governs all types of vessels that are navigated on rivers, lakes and the open seas, including everything from large cargo ships, to recreational boats, to jet skis. Most attorneys in practice today have little knowledge in this distinct and very specialized area. The attorneys of Ray, Robinson, Carle & Davies PLL are skilled practitioners in maritime law and many of them worked in the maritime industry prior to becoming attorneys. Their extensive experience gives them the ability to handle claims involving the Jones Act, the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, other state and federal maritime laws and general maritime law.

With a full complement of lawyers and research staff, Ray, Robinson, Carle & Davies PLL represents its clients in courts around the Great Lakes, including federal courts in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, New York, Illinois and Indiana, as well as before governmental agencies. Our experienced team of maritime lawyers has represented both local and international vessel owners in various matters. We have assisted with vessel sales and transfers, collections on behalf of lenders and marinas, and have represented boat owners and passengers in many recreational boating accident cases that have occurred on the waters of Lake Erie, around the Lake Erie Islands, and on other Great Lakes. The firm of Ray, Robinson, Carle & Davies PLL is listed as a correspondent for English, Japanese, Scandinavian, German, Chinese and Korean protection and indemnity insurance clubs and have assisted their members’ vessels as required when they visit Great Lakes ports, particularly in Lake Erie.

Here are examples of the types of maritime claims that Ray, Robinson, Carle & Davies PLL can handle:

• Collisions, pollution and personal injury claims involving cargo ships, cruise ships and recreational boats
• Interstate Commerce claims such as theft of cargo or hijacking
• Wrongful death and passenger personal injury of all types
• Crew wage claims
• Fires in marinas, boat yards and on yachts and ships
• Boating accident claims
• Cargo damage claims
• Claims involving shipping containers
• Claims involving collective bargaining agreements
• Claims against shipowners and crew members brought by U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Service
• Represent shipowners in mergers and acquisitions and sales of cargo ships
• Represent shipowners in matters involving the National Vessel Documentation Center and the Maritime Administration