MERCHANT NAVY AS A CAREER

Merchant Navy
The opportunity to travel around the world and the lure of high salaries attracts many youngsters to a career in the Merchant Navy. This feature describes the profession, how to get into it and the promotion avenues. Usually, young people are attracted by the glamour of travelling the high seas, but it is good to know what actually the job entails. It also describes what to expect and the avenues after spending some years on the ship.

A career in the merchant navy is considered a glamorous one, especially by young people who have the travel bug. It offers an opportunity to visit new and exotic places all over the world, and the salaries are also very high. For many young people, a life of travel and adventure holds a unique charm and that is the reason that many of them look for a career in the merchant navy.

What is merchant navy

It consists of various types of ships such as tankers, cargo and passenger ships. It is different from the navy in the sense that it offers commercial services, as opposed to the navy, which is involved in the defence of a nation. Companies that run merchant ships require trained people who can operate and maintain the ships. Some of these are: Chevron and Mobil of USA, Wallem Ship Management of Hong Kong, Denholm of UK and a host of Norwegian companies. India too has its shipping companies, such as the Shipping Corporation of India, Great Eastern Shipping, Essar and Chowgule Shipping. Merchant Navy is the backbone of international trade, carrying cargo across the globe. Without the merchant navy, much of the import-export business would grind to a halt!

Trained people are required for the three main departments of the shipthe deck, the engine and the service department. There are, thus, many career options that are available for any youngster that has dreams to join the merchant navy. The deck officers include the captain, chief officer, second officer, third officer and other junior officers. Deck staff is responsible for navigating, supervising cargo and passengers. The engine department consists of the chief engineer, radio officer, electrical officer and junior engineers. They are responsible for the engines and other mechanical and electrical equipment. The service department manages the kitchen, laundry, medical and other services. Thus, another way of getting into the merchant navy could be by doing a course in hotel management and catering.


Salary

The starting salary varies between Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 a month. A person gets a variety of benefits such as free food, accommodation, paid leave, two-way free passage and facilities for families. In other words, the salary can be saved totally while one is on ship. The perquisites include bonus, holiday travel and other annual benefits. Foreign companies pay higher, and a starting salary of $ 1,500 to $ 2,500 can be expected. Since the job involves going abroad for extended periods, one can take advantage of becoming an NRI and earn tax-free income.

The entry level for a fresh Marine Engineer (ME) is at the rank of fifth engineer or junior engineer. Promotions depend on examinations and a steady performance. The fourth engineer must have completed 18 months of seatime and clear the examination (conducted by Marine Mercantile Department, Government of India) to be promoted to the rank of third engineer. At each stage, exams have to be cleared and after many years of experience, one may hope to become the chief engineer, the highest rank that an ME can reach. At this level, salary may reach Rs 1.50 lakh per month. Some people achieve this by mid-30s. The chances of promotions are quite wide, though it may be mentioned that there are no higher positions after becoming the captain of a ship. There could, thus, be some stagnation at this level.


How to apply

A merchant navy aspirant can do the 3-year B.Sc (National Science) course or the 4-year Marine Engineering course at the TS Chanakya, Mumbai and Marine Engineering Research Institute (MERI), Calcutta. The first is a navigation discipline course while the second is an engineering course. The eligibility is class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Admission is through the IIT joint Entrance Examination (JEE-2000), the screening test of which is scheduled to be held on January 2, 2000 and main examination on May 7, 2000. Application forms can be obtained from Chairman, JEE of any IIT and some designated banks from August 2, 1999 to September 13, 1999. Candidates will also have to fill forms for TS Chanakya and MERI, which are available from: Director General of Shipping, Jahaz Bhawan, WH Marg, Ballard Estate, Mumbai - 400 038.

Candidates have to be unmarried Indian citizens (male or female). After clearing the test, there is an interview and a medical test. Normal vision is required but glasses upto plus or minus 2.5 may be allowed. There are some private institutes which offer training for merchant navy as well. These institutes prepare students for jobs such as deck cadets and marine engineering jobs. Look out for notices in the local newspapers for the courses conducted by private institutes.

Becoming a deck cadet: If you have missed the opportunity to do IIT-JEE, the alternative is to do a training to become a deck cadet from a private institute. Some of these institutes have contacts with shipping companies, which normally recruit deck cadets directly. The limitation is that one may not have as fast a promotion that may be offered to a regular marine engineer or a graduate in nautical science.


Aptitude

It is normally believed that the job of a merchant navy officer is a glamorous one. While travel and high salaries are no doubt attractive, an aspirant must assess whether he has the aptitude or not. First, it is a high technology profession. One must not only have engineering aptitude but a feel for technology as well. Second, a person may be on a ship for extended periods of time, without family. This could become lonely and may cause stress. Further, if one gets sea-sick, a career in the merchant navy is hardly the correct option. It may also be kept in mind that if you have an aversion to exams, you may find promotions difficult to come by. Finally, one would have to be a calm person and not prone to panic: a person managing a ship would have to keep calm in the case of rough seas and storms, or if the engine fails. Working hours could be irregular; one could be sailing for nine months in a year, with a minimum duty of eight hours a day. Working areas could also be cramped, with little social life. It is only on the bigger passenger ships that one can meet other people, but for many cargo ships, it means spending months only with the crew members. So, one must be prepared for the rugged life.


Training

The four-year training is a rigorous one and prepares a young person for crisis management besides imparts skills required for the ship. In the first year, one learns basics of engineering, electrical and electronics. The next year, cadets learn about the engine room, the machines and instruments used for sailing. Candidates will also have to attend workshops at the Mazagaon docks, the Indian Naval Dockyard and the Bombay Port Trust. This is essential because of the rule that all MEs must have two years of workshop training in government-authorised centres. The other organisations where training can be done are the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Central Inland Waterways Transport Corporation. The third and fourth year are devoted to studying engineering. Students learn about the internal combustion engine, the diesel power-house and other technical aspects.

In the final year, students learn management including operations management, naval architecture, marine auxiliaries and electricity, geography, ship construction and marine systems design. MERI is equipped with instrumentation, automation and simulators. Students are trained to meet challenges on the sea. Discipline, dedication and the ability to work under pressure are all required from a good sailor. These days, working in a computerised environment are an added training that one must go through and some jobs may have become easier because of this. However, one must be constantly alert to warning systems to avoid any mishap


Prospects beyond marine engineering

Training in marine engineering does not limit you to ships. After putting in several years of service, many sailors retire with a good savings and opt for land-based jobs or start a business. The normal age of retirement would be mid-30s or early forties, when a person feels the need to settle down with family. Openings would exist in the power plants, electrical and electronics industry, ship-building industry, etc. Many marine engineers become consultants to international shipping lines or join companies providing maintenance and other services to ships.

 APB Ship Management Pvt. Ltd.is looking for Marine Engineer

Employer Name:	APB Ship Management Private Limited
Employer Address:	Laha Paint House 7, C.R Avenue 1st Floor Kolkata,West Bengal,India 700072
Email:	apbshippingr@ediffmail.com,apb_shipping@yahoo.com
URL:	http://www.apbship.com/
Phone:	91-033-22377904
Required Skills:	Good knowledge about post
Required Experience:	0 yrs
Required Education:	B.Tech/B.E. / Any PG Course
Job Location:	Kolkata   (View Jobs in Kolkata) Job Description Fresher - B.E./B. Tech (Mechanical) candidates will undergo 1 year training in Marine Engineering based in Kolkata in association with Garden Reach Ship Builders and Engineers Limited and Diploma (Mechanical/Marine Engineer/Ship Building) candidates will undergo 2 years training in Marine Engineering based in outside of Kolkata which will lead to Marine Engineer Officer (MEO) Class-IV Part-A Certificate issued by Directorate General of Shipping Govt. Of India and after obtaining the CDC (Continuous Discharge Certificate) from D.G. Shipping Govt. of India. Post training candidates will be placed in ships as Jr. Engineer/Assistant Engineer Officer through our principal employer in foreign going ships. Job involves traveling extensively throughout the world.Desired ProfileCandidates must be B.E (Mechanical) & Diploma (Mechanical / Marine Engineer/Ship Building) qualified. B.E./B. Tech (Mechanical) age should be below 28 years as on 01/03/2010 & Diploma (Mechanical / Marine Engineer) age should be below 28 years & Diploma (Ship Building) age should be below 28 years as on course commencement date. Fresh B.E./ B. Tech (Mechanical) and Diploma (Mechanical / Marine Engineer/Ship Building) Engineers aspiring to pursue a career in Merchant Navy need only apply. About Employer The APB Group is a global third party ship manager providing Marine Training, Ship Manning and Marine Engineering Training. We also specialize in Cargo Handling, Ship Brokerage and Ship Management and complete range of integrated marine services. Above all else our staff are dedicated to managing ships safely. Our regional fleet management offices are structured to each manage 50 vessels and to provide personal service to our clients in their own immediate geographic area This uniquely decentralized approach ensures that the client is never any great distance from his manager - regardless of the global nature of the maritime industry. APB superintendents and ship staffs have broad ship management backgrounds and have helped enhance our methodology to its present high standards while continually improving. Our qualities are not so common among ship managers. All become part of our ongoing objectives:

Marine Trainee Engineer job opening in ABP Ship Management Kolkata

Job Title : Marine Engineer Trainee

About Company : 
We are an organization based in Kolkata primarily into Marine Training, Ship Manning and Marine Engineering Training. We also specialise in Cargo Handling, Ship Brokerage and Ship Management.
We have tie-ups with various Indian as well as foreign shipping companies and are continously working with them.

Experience: 0 – 1 Years

Job Location: Kolkata

Education: B.Tech/B.E. – Marine, Mechanical

Job Description :

• B.E./B. Tech (Mechanical) candidates will undergo 1 year training in Marine Engineering based in Kolkata in association with Garden Reach Ship Builders and Engineers Limited and Diploma (Mechanical/Marine Engineer/Ship Building) candidates will undergo 2 years training in Marine Engineering based in outside of Kolkata which will lead to Marine Engineer Officer (MEO) Class-IV Part-A Certificate issued by Directorate General of Shipping Govt. Of India and after obtaining the CDC (Continuous Discharge Certificate) from D.G. Shipping Govt. of India.
• Post training candidates will be placed in ships as Jr. Engineer/Assistant Engineer Officer through our principal employer in foreign going ships. Job involves traveling extensively throughout the world.Desired ProfileCandidates must be B.E (Mechanical) & Diploma (Mechanical / Marine Engineer/Ship Building) qualified.

Desired :

• B.E./B. Tech (Mechanical) age should be below 28 years as on 01/03/2010 &
• Diploma (Mechanical / Marine Engineer) age should be below 28 years & Diploma (Ship Building) age should be below 28 years as on course commencement date.

Note : Fresh B.E./ B. Tech (Mechanical) and Diploma (Mechanical / Marine Engineer/Ship Building) Engineers aspiring to pursue a career in Merchant Navy need only apply.

Company Name: APB Ship Management Private Limited

Address:
APB Shipping Private Limited
Laha Paint House 7, C.R Avenue 1st Floor
KOLKATA,West Bengal,India 700072

Apply : If you have  registered  your CV with Naukri.com CLICK HERE to apply

OR CLICK HERE TO POST YOUR CV AT NAUKRI.COM and then apply above

seafarer jobs

SeafarerJobs.com

• Advertise
• Contact Us
• Search Jobs
• Maritime Institutes
• Post Resume
• View Resumes

Elite Mariners Pvt. Ltd.

Posted: APR 10, 2010

 Tell a Friend |  Print This Listing

Current Job Openings:

We invite applications form qualified Merchant Navy Officers for the following

• For Bulk Carriers
  Master / Chief Officers / Second Officers / Third Officers / Chief Engineers / Second Engineers / Third Engineers / Fourth Engineers / Electrical Officers

Click here to Download the Application Form and apply below

Apply for the Job

1. Your Name(required)
2. Email(valid email required)
3. Contact No.(required)
4. Current Rank(required)
5. Position Applied for(required)
6. Upload Resume(required)
7. Message(required)
8. Verification
9. Note: By submitting this form you agree to the Terms and Conditions

cforms contact form by delicious:days

Why work for us?

• Attractive wages w.e.f. 1st Jan. 2008
• Unmatched Perks
• Owner operated quality vessels
• 100% UMS Operation
• Long Term Commitments
• Permanent Employment
• Professional Pride, Job Satisfaction

Contact Details

Mumbai Office:‘Remi Biz Court’, D-404, Shah Industrial Estate, Veera Desai Road, Andheri (West), Mumbai 400 053.
Tel.: +91-22-6698 7667 Fax: +91-22-6698 7668

Related Listings

• No related listings.

If you enjoyed this listing, please consider to Subscribe to SeafarerJobs.com by Email and get all future listings delivered to you for FREE by email.

master mariner job

Home Search Jobs Post Jobs Expand Post Jobs Search Resumes Post Resume Manage Your Account

2 master mariner jobs Create Email Alert for master mariner SECOND MATE Cruise West, USA On Board a Ship  THIS IS A FULL TIME SEASONAL POSITION POSITION SUMMARY: Ensure the safety and comfort of the passengers, ship, and crew as a Bridge Watch Officer, designated Safety Officer, and ships Navigation Officer. MAJOR AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY INCLUDE: Safety Officer: Inspect,  SECOND MATE/RELIEF MATE Cruise West, On Board a Ship  POSITION SUMMARY: Assume all duties of Chief / First Mate when so dictated by personnel rotation schedule to include: Ensuring the safety and comfort of the passengers, ship, and crew as a Bridge Watch Officer as well as perform as the ship’s Security Officer.

53 master mariner resumes MASTER MARINER Philippines  To be a succesfull Master Mariner  CAPTAIN India New Mumbai  Sailing  MASTER MARINER India Secunderabad  Shore Job In Taiwan,related to the Maritime field, inspections, cargo superintendent, safety inspector,etc  MARINE SUPERINTEDENT/MASTER/CHIEF MATE Canada British Columbia Surrey/Vancouver  Navigating officer  MASTER MARINER , POR OPERATOR AND VESSEL OPERATOR USA FL Hialeah  My goal is to one day become an officer. However, I am open and available for any other position in shore side as Commercial Vessel Operators and Port Operator. I am a hard worker and willing to travel anywhere to stay within this wonderful field.  MASTER/MATE Canada British Columbia  to become deck navigational officer/master/chief officer/marine superintedent/port pilot  MASTER MARINER Canada Nova Scotia Cleveland  To achieve personal satisfaction by performing a valuable & professional service to my employer, while satisfying the needs of the charter party, while ensuring the safety of my crew and vessel.  MARINE ENGINEER Lithuania KLAIPEDA  I am - Flexible on location and regions to work . Also highly ambitious driven man who are energetic and have a desire to grow with company .  MASTER MARINER - SHORE BASED Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Colombo  Looking for a Permanent shore based job in marine/shipping industry with better prospects within UK.  PORT OPERATOR , MASTER MARINER, VESSEL OPERATOR USA FL Hialeah  Seeking a stable position where my skill and studies would be the perfect tools for my employer’s goals.  MASTER MARINER India JHARKHAND JHARKHAND  Maritime Insurance / Harbour Master  MASTER MARINER SENIOR MANAGEMENT Mexico Sinaloa Mazatlan  A Master Mariner with extensive professional experience in Senior Management, as Shipping Line Executive Manager, Container Terminal Operator Executive Manger, Port & Vessels Operations Manager, Shipping Agency Manager, as well as a Marine Surveyor & Consultant  MARINE ENGINEER Lithuania KLAIPEDA  Job at sea or ashore  MASTER MARINER Pakistan KARACHI  like to sail on a container/bulk carrier/general cargo vessel as master. interested in working in operation department of marine company  MASTER MARINER Pakistan SINDH KARACHI  TO SAIL AS MASTER ON A BULK CARRIER/CONTAINER OR GENERAL CARGO VESSEL  MASTER MARINER India ALLAHABAD  Work as master on board v/l  MASTER India Mah Mumbai  Interested in a challenging career in Maritime and Logistics ashore.  MARINE SUPERINTENDENT Venezuela Barcelona  Venezuelan master mariner with 15 years proven shored side experience, whilst working at oil maritime terminal's positions, responsible for operations, safety, security and quality assurance positions. Previous 15 years onboard crude/product tankers, last fiver years as captain.  SDPO Philippines PANGASINAN  To have a permanent job as SDPO on any class 2 or 3 DP vessel.  MASTER MARINER/DPO India gurgaon,haryana  to uplift career from anchor handling to DP operator on rig/drillships  1 2 3

sailor jobs

Sailor Job .com is a very specific job site for jobseekers in Merchant Navy. It is a virtual meeting place for marine job seekers, Crewing Agents and Shipping Companies. You may look here for jobs on ships, offshore jobs on oil rigs, dynamic positioning vessels and supply boats. Shore jobs for mariners willing to settle ashore are also advertised here. Thus, we welcome all maritime professionals, crewing agents, manning agents, stevedores, ship chandlers, shipping companies and maritime institutions to visit our site and take advantage of vast marine & port information available here. MORE......

Pakistan Forum

JOBS FOR MARINERS

1st Assistant Engineer W/ PIC

Tuesday, 11 Aug, 2009 – 12:40 | Comments Off

In need of 1st/2nd Asst Engineers to work small tanker off coast of Japan. Must have a MMD W/ TANK-PIC. Paid travel w/ benefits.
Click Here to apply for this job.

Port Engineer – Norfolk, VA and San Diego, CA

Monday, 27 Jul, 2009 – 21:31 | Comments Off

Port Engineer must satisfy the following skills , knowledge and experience requirements: Approximately 6 years of commercial, Navy, or NOAA experience as an operating engineer and /or port engineer ; knowledge and experience in, commercial …

Marine Trades / Supervisors!!! – Tidewater, VA

Saturday, 25 Jul, 2009 – 13:30 | Comments Off

Unique Opportunity! Abacus Corporation is currently seeking experienced marine workers:
**Class A Electrical Supervisors
**Marine Electricians
**Outside Machinists
**Aluminum Welders
Long term shipyard project in the Tidewater, VA area. 1st, 2nd, 3rd shifts.
Click Here to apply for this …

Technical Services Representative – CA

Monday, 20 Jul, 2009 – 21:29 | Comments Off

California based boat builder is looking for an energetic Technical Services Representative who has experience in working in the boat industry. Applicant must have a good knowledge of boats and marine products, experience in …

Chief Vessel Engineer – USA

Monday, 20 Jul, 2009 – 21:29 | Comments Off

Up to date Resume along with these USCG Documents Required:
Chief Engineer-1600 Domestic Ton/3000 ITC Tonnage any
Horsepower
STCW must match license
Rating forming part of an engineering
Click Here to apply for this job.

Outside Machinist/Mechanic – Houston, TX

Saturday, 18 Jul, 2009 – 13:27 | Comments Off

Skills to work on board Ships and Rigs – on Diesel engines, Auxiliary Machinery, Pumps,repair Compressers, Anchor windlass, and Valves Ect. Supervision and guidance will be provided on the jobs. Persons selected should have standard …

MARINE SPECIALIST/VESSEL OPERATOR – Fort McMurray, Canada

Saturday, 18 Jul, 2009 – 13:27 | Comments Off

Position Title: Marine Specialist
Posting Number: 13533
Company: Suncory Energy
Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada
Dept. / Area: Tailings Operations
Job Family: Operations and Maintenance
Ready to be proud of your workplace? Put yourself in our picture.
Click Here to apply for this …

Marine Engineer/Oiler Licensed – Brunswick

Thursday, 16 Jul, 2009 – 5:26 | Comments Off

Responsible for safe operation and maintenance of all shipboard propulsion, hydraulic, electrical and auxiliary systems. Experience with Caterpillar turbo charged diesel engines, hydraulic, electrical and oil recovery equipment is a plus.
Must have ability to live …

Maritime Law

When term business related to any field is used it mean certain law is automatically become part of it. When we look at the sea it looks difficult that we can apply any law to it but when business take places on the sea or ocean it need law as other business needs. As ships moves or sails from one country to another due to the business and trade it definitely needs certain rules and regulation that keep things straight even if any mishap take place. For this you can find the maritime law that defines the responsibilities of the ship owner and what he can recover incase of accident or any mishap. Maritime law is also known as admiralty law. Maritime law basically deals with the issues like losing ship or cargo due to collision or any other reason. Beside this insurance and liability issues when an accident takes place and collision compensation or salvage rights too.

In maritime law you can find certain principles that can clear your concepts about the law. One of the prominent and important principle of the maritime law is the limitation of shipowners liability due to this ship owner limit its liability according to the value of ship if any major accident occurs. One of the best examples is titanic when it sank the owner of the ship filed the limitation of liability for legal progress. According to the limitation act the owner of the ship can limit the liability according to the value of ship if accident that is not under the control of owner or if he is not aware about it. It is an example of 1912 but today ships are well equipped with communication equipments and in such situations many question arises but it doesn’t mean limitation act will not protect you it will protect you. On the other hand, if the other maritime law principle is related to the cargo shipped in international commerce that is under the rule of Carriage of Goods by Sea Acts. The owner of the ship can claim for cargo damages from loading to discharge and even if any natural disaster takes place. Sometimes error in navigation or controlling ship not cargo in such situation ship owner can claim for cargo damages and he will get liability. The claim for cargo damages is only valid for one year. 

All remedies or liability is not only available for the ship owner but there are certain responsibilities of the ship owners too, which they need to fulfill it. The personal injuries to seaman is another principle of maritime law in which the ship owner need to pay for injured seaman for his medical treatment until he is not get well. Beside this he will get basic living expense till voyage is complete and even if seaman is not on the ship. According to the principle of maintenance and cure if seaman gets injured due to his negligence he might not be able to obtain any rights. Above we have discussed few principles of maritime law there are more principles that you can find on internet. The other principles you can check out such as personal injures to passengers and salvage. david mandell

ADMIRALTY AND MARITIME LAW

    The Admiralty and Maritime Law Guide includes over 1,500 annotated links to admiralty law resources on the Internet and a growing database of admiralty case digests, opinions and international maritime conventions.
 

Recent Additions

OceanPortal (Reference)
A UNESCO sponsored site that is a comprehensive directory of ocean related and maritime web sites, with an objective of helping scientists and other ocean experts locate relevant information on the Internet.
Hong Kong Maritime Law Association (Associations)
The Hong Kong Maritime Law Association was established in 1978. Its membership includes maritime lawyers, shipowners, P&I clubs and other persons and organisations who have an interest in maritime law. The site includes a detailed page containing links to the relevant maritime ordinances and cases.

Recent Circuit Court Admiralty Opinions

     The following are digests of recent United States Circuit Court Admiralty decisions, with links to the full opinions.  For past digests and opinions organized by date and subject, see the Circuit Court Admiralty Opinions page, where it is also possible to search the database of Circuit Court opinions.
Arthur v. Maersk, Inc.
Third Circuit Court of Appeals
January 13, 2006
Suits in Admiralty Act/Procedure: Where Plaintiff seaman amended his complaint to name the United States as defendant in his Jones Act action, although the claim was past the two year Suits in Admiralty Act statute of limitations, the amended claim nonetheless related back to the original complaint under Rule 15 and was not time barred because: (1) the claim in the amended pleading arose out of the “conduct, transaction, or occurrence” set forth in the original pleading; (2) within 120 days of institution of the action, the party to be brought in by amendment had received “such notice of the . . . action that the party will not be prejudiced in maintaining a defense on the merits”; and, (3) within 120 days of institution of the action, the party to be brought in by amendment knew or should have known that, “but for a mistake concerning the identity of the proper party,” the action would have been brought against that party.
Paparo v. M/V ETERNITY
First Circuit Court of Appeals
January 5, 2006
Longshore & Harbor Workers' Act/Procedure: The Court reversed the District Court's grant of summary judgment in favor of the vessel and against the plaintiff longshoreman. The material facts were in dispute and the longshoreman was entitled to have a jury decide whether he had proven his case that the vessel was negligent, causing his injury. Plaintiff contended that the accident occurred when someone on board the ETERNITY prematurely used the ship's winch to haul a line he was holding back in, thus jerking the line out of his grip, causing him to fall. The facts surrounding this allegation were in dispute such that the District Court was in error to have accepted the theory of the vessel's expert witness that the winch would have pulled the line back too slowly and gradually to create the yanking motion that Plaintiff alleged.
Stevedoring Services of America v. Price
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
January 5, 2006
Longshore & Harbor Workers' Act: Although 33 U.S.C. § 928(a) authorizes district courts to award fees “in the successful prosecution” of a Longshore & Harbor Workers' claim, § 928(c) states that a court “may approve an attorney’s fee for the work done before it by the attorney for the claimant.” In view of this language, the district court lacked jurisdiction to award fees to claimant, because the work undertaken in successfully opposing his employer’s certiorari petition to the United States Supreme Court was not work done “before” the district court.

Recent Supreme Court Admiralty Opinions

Spector v. Norwegian Cruise Lines
June 6, 2005
Government Regulation: Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U. S. C. §12181 et seq., is applicable to foreign-flag cruise ships in U. S. waters, except insofar as that Title regulates a vessel’s internal affairs.
Stewart v. Dutra Construction
February 22, 2005
Jones Act: The Super Scoop, a floating platform with a bucket that removes silt from the ocean floor and dumps it onto adjacent scows, was a vessel for purposes of determining seaman status under the Jones Act since the definition of a "vessel" under sections 1 and 3 of the Revised Statutes of 1873 "includes every description of watercraft or other artificial contrivance used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation on water.” Section 3 requires only that a watercraft be “used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation on water,” not that it be used primarily for that purpose. The Super Scoop was not only “capable of being used” to transport equipment and passengers over water—it was so used. (See the underlying decisions in Stewart v. Dutra Construction (1st Cir. 2003) and Stewart v. Dutra Construction (1st Cir. 2000).)
     For links to earlier Supreme Court opinions and to search the database of opinions at this site, see the Supreme Court Admiralty Opinions page.

Pending Maritime Legislation & Regulation

     For a summary of pending maritime legislation and federal regulation, see the Transportation Institute's Pending Legislative Matters page and its report on Pending Regulatory Matters.
     The THOMAS site of the Library of Congress and the GPO Access site can be used to track legislation and regulation directly. THOMAS provides a browsable list of pending legislation introduced in the latest Congress and a list of the latest enacted Public Laws.  GPO Access provides the Federal Register online where it is possible to search the Proposed Rules section.