What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up? Careers in the Marine and Maritime Field
Maritime Lawyer
byBlythe D aly
Chances are that yo ur favo rite pair of shoes or yo ur treasured MP3 player wasn't made in the United States . It's also likely that the banana in yo ur cereal this morning was grown in another country. The United States imports and expo rts many goods to and from other countries, and nearly all of these things are transported aro und the world in large commercial ships. When com mercial ships, fishing vessels, sailboats, and other priva te yachts sail upon the navigable waters of the United States and beyond, they are subject to many different laws and rules, depending o n where they are, where they cam e from, where they are goi ng, and what they are doing at sea. My job, as a maritime lawyer, is to learn and understand the laws that apply to vessels bo th in port and underway in inland wa ters, in fo reign countries, and upon the high seas. Many of these laws are very old, as the field of maritime law in the United States dates back to the colonial era. When I was a kid, I was addicted w the water-from swimming to can oeing to sailing on small boats with m y father and at summer camp on the Chesapeake Bay. The wa ter has always been a big part of my life, whether it's a freshwater pond or the big salty ocean . Even a pool will do! When I went to college, I studi ed foreign affairs and international politics and joined the rowing team. After graduation, I took to the water full time. I got a job as a decl<l1a nd on a tall ship, and that led to more sailing jobs as a mate and then captain aboard vessels large and small along the East Coast of the United States, in the Caribbean, and in Mexico. After thousands of miles at sea and having learned first hand about ships, ship work, and the people who crew them, I decided to go At my desk at Holland and Knight, a law firm in New York. to law school to study maritime law. Now l work as a maritime lawyer in New York City. I m ay spend my time in an office these days, but I my sailing experience helps me Thats me! Aloft on understand the various problems "HMS" Rose/ wrestling and cases I confront in my job on with the main course a daily basis. with some of my In addition to answering questions about piracy (yes, pirates shipmates. still exist), I determine what happens when the shi p carryi ng bananas for yo ur breakfast arrives late and the bananas have spoi led before the ship reaches po rt. Maritime law applies to almost any accid ent involving a vessel-whether commercial or private-such as when two vessels collide o r a single vessel runs aground or into a pier. Sailors are given special protections and benefits under maritime laws that employees asho re may not have in their land jobs because of the special nature of their work. Because ships travel to all parts of the world, maritime law is international in nature. Maritime lawyers help draft or design, interpret, and enfo rce international legislation that govern s various as pects of the maritime industry, including safety aboard ships and pollution from vessels. So, the next time you reach to put on your favorite pair of shoes, yo u m ay also want to think abo ut a career in maritime law. It's a great way to stay connected with ships and the sea while living ashore, and yo u can feel good knowing yo u are m aki ng a difference in sailo rs' lives and in helping those whose business is out on the water.
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SEA HISTORY 128, AUTUMN 2009