Map incidents to the governing law fast: conventions, jurisdiction, limitation regimes, and evidence checklists — with copy‑paste tools.
At‑a‑glance Legal Matrix
This matrix is designed for quick linking by blogs, universities, and practitioners. It summarizes common incidents against core regimes and practice notes. Always confirm local enactment and any updates before relying in proceedings.
| Incident | Primary regimes | Jurisdiction & time bar (typical) | Limitation (typical) | Practice notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cargo damage | Hague‑Visby Rules / Hamburg Rules; COGSA (where applicable); Charterparty clauses | Forum clause in B/L; 1‑year time bar under HVR; check local enactment | Package or kilo limits under HVR/Hamburg; SDR based | Secure SoF, NOR, stowage plans, reefer logs; notify carriers promptly |
| Collision | COLREGs; 1910 Collision Convention (where applicable); local Admiralty Acts | Forum often where arrest feasible; 2‑year limits common (check local) | Global limitation via LLMC 1976/1996 Protocol; SDR tonnage based | NOR of protest, VDR/BNWAS/ECDIS downloads, AIS, passage plan, crew statements |
| Grounding | UNCLOS; local pilotage statutes; ISM Code obligations | Port state/flag state proceedings; administrative deadlines may apply | LLMC may apply for property claims; separate pollution conventions if spills | Under‑keel clearance data, tide tables, pilot exchange, ECDIS track, towage contracts |
| Pollution (oil) | MARPOL; CLC/Fund; OPA 90 (US); local environmental law | Strict liability regimes; prompt notifications; claims windows defined by statute | CLC limits by tonnage; Fund Convention tiers; OPA caps (subject to exceptions) | SOPEP actions, spill reports, sampling chain, response contractor logs, insurer notice |
| Piracy/armed robbery | UNCLOS; SUA Convention; flag/state criminal codes; war risk clauses | Flag/port/coastal jurisdiction interplay; immediate reporting protocols | LLMC for property; crew claims separate; insurance triggers in war risk | CSR/SSP records, citadel use, BMP5 compliance evidence, insurer notifications |
| Seafarer injury | MLC 2006; national employment/compensation law; Jones Act (US) | Employment forum clauses; statutory limitation periods vary | Not typically LLMC; worker comp or tort caps may apply | Medical logs, maintenance & cure records, safety drills, PPE, witness statements |
Note: Content is jurisdiction‑agnostic and for orientation. Check domestic enactment of each convention and any reservations.
Immediate Evidence Checklist (Auto‑fill)
Generate a quick incident evidence checklist tailored to your selection above. Copy and paste into emails or case files.
Notice to Interested Parties (Template)
A concise notice for preserving evidence and clarifying without‑prejudice positions.
Without prejudice We write regarding the incident described as: [brief facts]. Please preserve all electronic and paper records relevant to the voyage and operations, including but not limited to: ECDIS/VDR/AIS data, stowage and stability records, maintenance logs, crew statements, and correspondence.
This notice is without admission of liability and without prejudice to rights under applicable conventions, statutes, and contractual terms including any forum selection and time bar provisions. Kindly acknowledge receipt and confirm preservation steps undertaken.
Signed:
[Name], [Role]
[Date]