CMI Maritime Law & Regulatory Compliance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under 46 U.S.C., which federal agency has primary jurisdiction over commercial vessel safety inspections in U.S. waters?
- NTSB
- USCG (Correct answer)
- EPA
- MARAD
Correct answer: USCG
The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) holds primary authority for commercial vessel safety inspections under Title 46 of the U.S. Code.
Question 2: The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) primarily governs which aspect of maritime operations?
- Cargo loading procedures
- Seafarer competency and certification (Correct answer)
- Port state control inspections
- Vessel construction standards
Correct answer: Seafarer competency and certification
STCW establishes minimum qualification standards for masters, officers, and watch personnel on seagoing vessels.
Question 3: Which doctrine holds a shipowner strictly liable for injuries to seamen caused by an unseaworthy vessel, regardless of negligence?
- Respondeat superior
- Res ipsa loquitur
- Unseaworthiness doctrine (Correct answer)
- Contributory negligence
Correct answer: Unseaworthiness doctrine
The unseaworthiness doctrine imposes strict liability on shipowners when vessel conditions cause seaman injury, without requiring proof of negligence.
Question 4: Under SOLAS Chapter V, what is the mandatory requirement for vessels regarding Automatic Identification System (AIS)?
- AIS is optional for vessels under 500 GT
- All SOLAS vessels must carry and operate AIS (Correct answer)
- AIS is only required in port waters
- AIS is mandated only for tankers
Correct answer: All SOLAS vessels must carry and operate AIS
SOLAS Chapter V requires all vessels over 300 GT on international voyages and passenger ships to carry and operate AIS equipment.
Question 5: The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90) was enacted primarily in response to which maritime disaster?
- SS Edmund Fitzgerald sinking
- Exxon Valdez oil spill (Correct answer)
- SS Marine Electric capsizing
- Deepwater Horizon blowout
Correct answer: Exxon Valdez oil spill
OPA 90 was enacted following the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska, to strengthen oil spill prevention and liability laws.
Question 6: In a Limitation of Liability proceeding under 46 U.S.C. § 30505, what is the shipowner's maximum liability typically limited to?
- The cargo value at the time of loss
- The value of the vessel after the casualty plus pending freight (Correct answer)
- Three times the vessel's insured value
- The cost of vessel repair
Correct answer: The value of the vessel after the casualty plus pending freight
Under the Limitation of Liability Act, a shipowner may limit liability to the post-casualty value of the vessel plus any pending freight.
Question 7: Which international convention establishes a framework for port state control (PSC) inspections of foreign vessels?
- MARPOL 73/78
- Paris MOU and Tokyo MOU regional agreements (Correct answer)
- COLREGS 1972
- SOLAS 1974 Chapter XI
Correct answer: Paris MOU and Tokyo MOU regional agreements
Regional Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) such as the Paris MOU and Tokyo MOU coordinate port state control inspection regimes among signatory nations.
CMI Maritime Law & Regulatory Compliance 2
Under 46 U.S.C., which federal agency has primary jurisdiction over commercial vessel safety inspections in U.S. waters?