Events
Speaking Engagement

Voice of America Interview

John D. Kimball, partner at Blank Rome, was interviewed by Voice of America (VOA) on Wednesday, November 21 to discuss the recent maritime matter of a ship sailing under a Nigerian flag with twelve Georgian crew members—out of the sixteen on board—that cannot continue their scheduled daily route due to mechanical malfunction. 

The ship has been anchored close to Panama for over three months and, as a consequence, has run out of food, drinking water, and fuel.  The Georgian ambassador to Mexico—there is no Georgian Embassy in Panama—visited the ship on Monday, November 19, and is engaging in negotiations with the shipowner.

During the interview, Mr. Kimball, discussed the following questions with the presenter:

  • What regulates safety at sea for commercial vessels?
  • Who is held responsible for the safety of the crew and the vessel?
  • If the crew gets stranded at a non-destination port, is the port obliged to receive the vessel or the crew?
  • Do governments of the crew members have any responsibly/say in resolving sailor disputes with the commercial shipping companies for the purpose of rescuing the crew?
  • Who is responsible for water, food, or fuel delivery to a stranded ship?

The interview can be viewed on VOA's website by clicking here