Over the past few weeks, San Diego and Los Angeles newspapers have run stories about a new kind of crime along the 200-mile stretch of coastline from Tijuana to San Quint'n - including carjackings and robberies by a group of paramilitary assailants driving SUVs with flashing lights, wearing ski masks and carrying weapons. Of the seven incidents reported in recent weeks, most have taken place at night, on the Tijuana-to-Ensenada toll road - and several surfers have reported being robbed at gunpoint while camping on beaches in this region. FULL STORY...
Ask a Maritime Attorney - How Can You Find Out About Unrecorded Vessel Liens?
12/27/2007
By David Weil, Esq.
In reading your article on maritime liens in the last issue of The Log, I had a few questions that I was hoping you could follow up on. In that article, you indicated that a maritime lien may be valid even if it is not recorded with the Coast Guard. If that is the case, how can a boat buyer know if a lien has been placed on the vessel? Similarly, how can a boat owner find out if an unrecorded lien has been placed on a boat that he or she already owns? FULL STORY...
Reader Rant - Don't Blame Boaters for Harbor Project Delays
12/13/2007
We can all agree that delays, and resulting increases in costs, are typically bad and should be avoided on any project. Dana Point Boaters Association members are confident that we have not caused delays or made any negative impact on the Dana Point Harbor Revitalization schedule. However, we have received some comments from members of the community that would suggest otherwise, and we welcome the opportunity to clarify the situation. FULL STORY...
Ask a Maritime Attorney - No Recording Is Required for Maritime Liens
12/13/2007
By David Weil, Esq.
Several years ago, I was sued by an electrician who had done some work for me on my 33-foot motoryacht. I ignored the lawsuit because he was incompetent and I had already paid him for most of the job. He apparently got a default judgment against me, but I did not pay much attention to the paperwork since I had already sold the boat. Last week, I received a letter from the boat's current owner, explaining that the electrician is now going after him. The electrician never recorded a lien against the boat, so I was not concerned about this when I sold the boat. Can he go after the current owner? What can I do to make this problem go away? FULL STORY...
