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Dana Merkel focuses her practice on domestic and international marine transportation and environmental issues for clients worldwide. Clients include ship owners, operators, and managers; offshore construction companies; shippers, charterers; and terminals. Major areas of practice include:<ul>	<li>Compliance counseling under a myriad of international conventions and U.S. and foreign regulations</li>	<li>Coastwise trade</li>	<li>Offshore construction, oil &amp; gas, and wind farm development</li>	<li>Crew citizenship, including visa and entry issues</li>	<li>Defense of administrative, civil, and criminal enforcement actions</li>	<li>Internal investigations</li>	<li>Pollution response</li>	<li>Counseling on compliance and risk mitigation strategies</li>	<li>Development of administrative and legislative solutions to maritime and environmental compliance challenges</li>	<li>Vessel construction and flagging</li>	<li>International trade and sanctions issues</li></ul>Dana’s passion for the maritime industry began as a child growing up on Lake Superior, where she worked in marinas and on private yachts and small passenger vessels. She went on to graduate from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and worked through the International Organization of Masters, Mates, and Pilots (“MMP”) as a Third Mate and Qualified Member of the Engine Department (“QMED”) on a variety of vessel types, including container, dry bulk, tanker, ro-ro, ice breaker, and research vessels. Dana also worked ashore managing crude and product transportation for a major U.S. oil company.Dana conducts customized training sessions for clients and assists in creating and implementing effective compliance programs. She also writes and presents on issues impacting the maritime industry frequently, such as:<ul>	<li>“The Regulatory Landscape: Immigration &amp; Employment for OSW,” at IPF Virtual, April 2020&nbsp;</li>	<li>“The Broad Reach and Limitations of U.S. Forfeiture Law,” in Pratt’s Energy Law Report</li>	<li>“Status of U.S. Jones Act and Its Implications to the U.S. Offshore Wind Industry,” at the 2020 U.S. Offshore Wind Round Table Discussion</li>	<li>“Advances in Electronic Recordkeeping,” in Maritime Reporter</li>	<li>“Opportunities and Challenges with Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS),” in Maritime Reporter</li>	<li>“Let’s Talk Vessels (Construction and O&amp;M),” at the 2019 Sea to Land Conference</li>	<li>“New U.S. Effort in Strait of Hormuz Echoes Past Clashes with Iran,” in USNI News</li>	<li>“MARPOL Compliance Alert: D.C. Court of Appeals Shuts the Door on APPS Relief,” in Mainbrace</li></ul>

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MAINBRACE: January 2026

Reviewing the Latest Trends in U.S. Enforcement

MAINBRACE: September 2025

Blank Rome Assembles Cross-Practice Trade Enforcement Team Amid Increasing Government Investigations

MAINBRACE: June 2025

Blank Rome Attorneys and Practices Highly Ranked in The Legal 500 United States 2025

Buoy, That Escalated Quickly: Lessons and Insights for the Future of Marine Salvage & Emergency Response

Blank Rome Attorneys Named to 2024 Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll

Cybersecurity in the Marine Transportation System: What You Need to Know About the Coast Guard's Final Rule

MAINBRACE: March 2025

Chevron Deference Tossed Overboard—What Does It Really Mean?

MAINBRACE: October 2024

Blank Rome Attorneys Recognized in 2025 Best Lawyers in America®

USCG Requests Information on Ballast Water Management Procedures Under the Vessel General Permit and USCG Regulations

Blank Rome Attorneys and Practices Highly Ranked in The Legal 500 United States 2024

United States Coast Guard Safety Priorities: How U.S. Leadership in Maritime Will Secure America’s Future

How Do I Respond to Harassment and Sexual Harassment Claims? What Are the New Laws and Coast Guard Regulations and How Do They Impact My Company?

MAINBRACE: March 2024

EPA Issues Supplemental Notice of Proposed Ruling to Implement the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act—Finally!

What’s Happening and What’s New in Offshore Wind

Blank Rome Announces 2024 Elevations: 12 Partners, 3 Of Counsel

Ships and Fuels of the Future: U.S. Decarbonization Efforts and Offshore Wind Developments

EPA Issues Supplemental Notice of Proposed Ruling to Implement the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act, Finally!

Evolution of Offshore Wind and the Coastwise Laws

Finally—A Path Forward for Implementation of the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act

MAINBRACE: September 2023

Blank Rome Attorneys Recognized in 2024 Best Lawyers in America®

MARPOL Annex VI: Regulation for the Prevention of Air Pollution by Ships

Blank Rome Attorneys and Practices Highly Ranked in The Legal 500 United States 2023

Maritime – Environmental

Maritime – Regulatory Compliance

Trade Enforcement

<ul>
<li>Defense of vessel owners/operators after allegations of safety and environmental violations.</li>
<li>Representation of the owner of the Kulluk in the Coast Guard and NTSB investigation of its evacuation and grounding in Alaska.</li>
<li>Representation of the Captain of the El Faro in the Coast Guard and NTSB investigation of its sinking and loss of all 33 crew.</li>
<li>Provide assistance in internal investigations, reports, and disclosures to government agencies.</li>
<li>Conduct due diligence in preparation for company financing or purchase.</li>
<li>Assistance in the successful removal of vessels and vessel owners from OFAC sanctions list.</li>
</ul>

Dana S. Merkel

Dana S. Merkel

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