March 2, 2022, Newport, Rhode Island: Rhode Island has a civil death statute which essentially barred a person imprisoned for life from bringing a civil action. We like fairness in this world and that doesn't seem fair. Today, the Rhode Island Supreme Court invalidated the law has violating a fundamental right of access to the courts. Yes, it's not terribly salty and there's no maritime "hook," but we like the outcome of this decision because it promotes justice. You can read the court's decision by clicking here: RI Supreme Court Invalidates Civil Death Law --- Fulweiler llc ..read more

I like depositions and trials. I like the clarity that comes from the pressure. But to pepper questions in the boardroom or press a witness in the courtroom, you need a lawsuit. We file lawsuits for yachties, merchant mariners, passengers and anyone else injured working on or around the sea . . . but that doesn't mean a maritime lawyer can't dream. Here are some lawsuits I'd like to file if the opportunity arose; I call these "suits for sailors." The blue water ocean carriers always give me pause. They'll dump containers overboard littering the oceans with hazards (a lot of these containers fl ..read more

BREAKING: Newport, RI: The U.S. Coast Guard just issued Marine Safety Alert 06-21 notifying mariners of the possibility of a hazard involving the way threads were machined that could cause vessel steering problems. This is a situation mariners should be aware of and recognize that losses or damages arising from this situation are likely compensable. Talk to your maritime lawyer to find out more. And here's a link to the Marine Safety Alert 06-21. CLICK here to read Marine Safety Alert 06-21 -- Fulweiler llc 1-800-383-MAYDAY (6293) john@saltwaterlaw.com ..read more

New Legislation Might Help Maritime Claimants Everyone likes harmony whether it's Kansas belting out Carry on my Wayward Son or the simple no-drama setting of shipboard unity. Sadly, the sweet harmony of similar sound isn't something you find in the maritime law. Take for example, the 1851 Limitation of Liability Act which upends the maritime claimant creating an ugly sound and unfair outcomes. We're told the Limitation of Liability Act was intended to foster investment in shipping. The law protects vessel owners (and a limited class of owner-like interests) by allowing owners to invoke bankru ..read more

Newport, Rhode Island: Big appellate decision just out from the 11th Circuit. It helps the boat owner by giving boat owners a chance to avoid the horribly difficult burdens imposed by the maritime law when it comes to marine insurance claims. The decision begins like this: This case concerns the demise of the M/Y My Lady, a 92-foot Hatteras yacht. Ocean Reef, the owner of the M/Y My Lady, insured it with Travelers for a one-year term from October of 2016 to October of 2017. The 2016-17 policy, a renewal of annual policies issued in the two prior years, contained two express warranties that are ..read more

PAN-PAN-PAN Newport, Rhode Island Maritime attorney John K. Fulweiler, a Rhode Island lawyer representing passengers and crew in maritime injury lawsuits and also representing individuals and maritime businesses in recovering money in maritime claims was featured on the BoatWatch.org website. John told us that it was: "A great write up by a great group. These folks are providing a service to the maritime community that's long overdue. They are top shelf." The maritime lawyers at Fulweiler llc only represent individuals and marine businesses with claims. They represent injured passengers and cr ..read more

In August, 2019, a powerboat and small sailboat collided in the vicinity of the Newport Bridge in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management was tasked with the investigation. Our query around here: "Does the RI DEM have the skillset to accomplish such a task?" We don't know, but if you read the RI DEM's "About" page, forensic examination of a vessel collision isn't something that jumps out as a skill set that the department acknowledges. For instance, this is the first paragraph from its website under the title "ABOUT US": The Rhode Island Departme ..read more

PRESS RELEASE Rhode Island Maritime Law Firm to Offer Free Wake-Hazard Education Seminar NEWPORT, R.I. – September 30, 2019 – The legal team at Fulweiler llc (saltwaterlaw.com), a Rhode Island maritime law firm representing injured workers and passengers on the East and Gulf Coasts, has announced its intention to hold a free seminar on the hazards presented by vessel wakes and waves. This spring seminar will be timed to open the 2020 Narragansett Bay boating season by bringing awareness to the dangers associated with vessels hitting wakes and waves while underway. Dangerous vessel wakes and se ..read more

The obligation of maintenance is triggered when a seaman is disabled while in the service of the vessel no matter the cause. It's an obligation intended and enforced to protect the "poor and friendless" sailor – hey, those are the court's words not mine! But what if the seaman returns to work? Does the obligation of maintenance cease? The Supreme Court explains that a vessel owner's liability for maintenance is one of the "most pervasive" of all with any doubts to be resolved in the seaman's favor. This top shelf court has also allowed recovery of maintenance payments without deducting the ear ..read more

Recent press reports describe the death of a 60 year old woman who was apparently thrown from her sailboat when it collided with a 25' powerboat. This is a tragic situation where a sailing event in Newport, RI leads to the death of a sailor. Because the maritime law has complicated processes that may favor the vessel owner, if you're ever involved in such a sailing collision, it's important to retain a Rhode Island maritime lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights. Proctor-in-Admiralty John K. Fulweiler ONLY practices maritime law and ONLY represents those injured and killed at sea in ..read more