The Great Lakes Towing Company / Great Lakes Shipyard’s Post

Conditions for the Application of Marine Salvage Provisions Marine salvage is a critical operation under maritime law, involving the provision of assistance or rescue to vessels in danger at sea. It is an essential part of maritime tradition, governed by legal rules that define the rights and obligations of the parties involved. However, for marine salvage provisions to apply, certain essential conditions must be met, which specify the nature of the salvage and the circumstances in which it is provided. 1. Existence of a Real Danger One of the primary conditions for the application of marine salvage provisions is the presence of a real danger threatening the vessel, cargo, or persons onboard. Salvage cannot be provided unless there is a genuine need to save the ship or protect it from imminent peril. This danger may include maritime accidents such as collisions or technical malfunctions that prevent the ship from continuing to sail safely. 2. Inability to Avoid Danger Independently For a vessel to qualify for marine salvage assistance, it must be incapable of avoiding the danger or saving itself without external help. If the vessel can escape the crisis on its own without external intervention, the situation does not qualify for marine salvage under maritime law. Assistance is only provided when the vessel is unable to face the danger alone. 3. Voluntary Provision of Assistance Marine salvage law requires that assistance be provided voluntarily by the assisting parties, meaning the decision to offer help is made freely and not imposed on the party providing the aid. No one can be forced to offer marine salvage unless there is a legal obligation, such as in cases of compulsory rescue under international law. 4. Ability to Provide Effective Assistance To meet the conditions for applying marine salvage provisions, the assisting vessel or party must be capable of providing the necessary help. If the ship attempting to assist is inadequately equipped or unable to offer effective support, the salvage does not meet the legal standards of marine salvage law. 5. Presence of a Prior Agreement or Legal Basis In some cases, marine salvage is carried out under a prior agreement between the parties, which may stipulate specific terms and conditions. If no prior agreement exists, general maritime laws governing marine salvage apply, which may include provisions related to compensation and the responsibilities of the parties. 6. The Vessel in Need Must Not Be Responsible for the Danger Another condition for the application of marine salvage provisions is that the vessel receiving assistance must not be responsible for the danger it faces. In other words, if the danger results from the vessel’s own negligence or that of its crew, this may affect its right to salvage or compensation, and legal liabilities may be imposed.

For those in the bareboat charter business, understanding the "Boating Safety Act of 2022" is crucial. Our maritime lawyers break down what you need to know to stay compliant. Read more from attorneys Steven Gendreau and Amanda Ross. https://lnkd.in/eUZ4gvZK #swfl #law #HF100 #maritime #FL #yachtlife #saltlife

#salvage #rescueatsea #voluntaryact #mastersdescretion #shipboardemergencies #emergencies #perilsatsea #emergencyresponse #leadership #leadbyexample #drillsandtrainings #synchronizedresponse #seafarers #marineengineers #mariners #shipping #shippingindustry #crisismanagement #overridingauthority #salvage #chainofcommand #clearlinesofcommunication Marine Salvage: Salvage is the act of helping save a ship, its cargo, and sometimes lives during an emergency. Over centuries, salvage laws have developed to encourage people to assist in these situations, offering a reward (salvage award) for their efforts. This reward is based on fairness, allowing the person who helps (the salvor) to share in the benefits that their actions provide to the shipowner, the ship, and its cargo. While the typical act of salvage involves the rescue and tow of a vessel at sea, the range of situations that can constitute salvage is quite broad. Examples of salvage are the following: Escorting a distressed ship to a position where aid can be rendered, Giving information and guidance on how to avoid an obstruction such as an ice floe or to avoid running aground; Carrying a message that results in the provision of emergency. Essentially, as long as the ship is in danger, almost any voluntary act that helps its rescue can be considered salvage. For an action to count as salvage, three main conditions must be met: Serious Danger: The ship or property must be in serious danger, and without the salvor’s help, it couldn’t be rescued. Voluntary Action: The salvor must act freely, with no legal obligation or duty to help. Successful Outcome: The salvage attempt must succeed in saving at least part of the property. The owner of the property can refuse help, but if the property has been abandoned, anyone can step in to salvage it. If the original owner wants the property back, they must pay a salvage fee. However, for a claim to be valid, the property must be at sea, on a beach, or on a reef. The act must also be voluntary—crew members, passengers, and people who are required by their job (like firemen or licensed pilots) cannot claim a salvage reward. On the other hand, a salvage claim is not defeated by the fact that the salving vessel is professionally equipped to render assistance or engage in salvage operations

A tugboat pilot hired us to handle his Jones Act case, and he was more than satisfied with our professionalism. “They’ll do everything they can, and we’re 100% satisfied with their abilities,” said our client. Our experienced team is here to help you navigate the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve. Watch more testimonials on our YouTube channel @vbattorneys. #vbattorneys #texaslawyer #maritimeattorneys

A tugboat pilot hired us to handle his Jones Act case, and he was more than satisfied with our professionalism. “They’ll do everything they can, and we’re 100% satisfied with their abilities,” said our client. Our experienced team is here to help you navigate the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve. Watch more testimonials on our YouTube channel @vbattorneys. #vbattorneys #texaslawyer #maritimeattorneys

Dogging work is vital to crane operations, involving tasks like slinging loads, selecting and inspecting lifting gear, and guiding crane operators when the load is out of view. As the eyes and ears on the ground, doggers ensure every movement is executed safely. Key Information: Course: CPCCLDG3001 - Licence to Perform Dogging

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Is climbing a monkey ladder to board a vessel acceptable? 🐒⚓️ While it might add a sense of adventure to the bunkering process, safety should always come first! Proper gangways and safety procedures are there for a reason – to protect everyone involved. Let's leave the monkey business for the monkeys! What are your thoughts on this practice? 🚢👷♂️ #MaritimeSafety #Bunkering #SafetyFirst Ros Maritime Services

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You'll remember that the Ever Given, one of the world's largest container ships, ran aground and blocked the Suez Canal in 2021. SMIT Salvage helped to get the ship going again. How much should the owners pay SMIT? That's the question at issue in today's decision in SMIT Salvage BV & Ors v Luster Maritime SA [2024] EWCA Civ 260. The owners say the amount payable is to be determined by a contract between the parties. The salvors say there was no such contract and that the amount should be decided by applying the International Convention on Salvage 1989 and/or common law. The parties had agreed some terms in principle but discussed drafting a written contract that never materialised. The High Court decided that the parties hadn't made a contract and the Court of Appeal has now agreed. Here's what caught my eye. Males LJ says at paragraph 71: "The burden is on the owners to demonstrate that the parties’ exchanges evince unequivocally an intention to be bound." Is that right? I thought the burden was on the owners to demonstrate an intention to be bound, without any extra requirement of unequivocality. (In RTS Flexible Systems v Molkerei Alois Müller Gmbh & Company KG, the Supreme Court said there had to be unequivocal evidence of intention to waive the clause requiring formal execution, but that's different, I think).