What is the difference between maritime law and admiralty law?

Maritime law and admiralty law are two closely related legal fields in Louisiana. Maritime law is the law related to ships, seamen, and other related matters that occur over navigable waters. Admiralty law is a specific subset of maritime law that deals with vessels, cargo, disbursement of wages, and maritime contracts. Maritime law concerns all matters relating to maritime commerce, including the rights of shipping companies to collect maritime freight charges, the rights of fishermen and oil rig workers to receive compensation, and the rights of injured persons that have been hurt or lost a loved one due to a maritime-related incident. The admiralty side of maritime law deals mainly with maritime contracts, cargo rights and liabilities, and the disbursement of wages. International agreements, such as the Hague-Visby Rules and the Brussels Convention, outline the parameters of admiralty law. Admiralty law also handles cases that involve maritime tort claims, such as personal injury or wrongful death claims. These claims must be brought in a federal court as federal jurisdiction does not extend to state courts. In Louisiana, claims arising out of a maritime incident can be divided into two categories. Those that involve matters concerning a ship or vessel are handled under admiralty law, while those that involve other matters such as navigational rules and boating regulations are handled under maritime law. Ultimately, the difference between maritime law and admiralty law is the object of the claim. Maritime law is more general and applies to all activities that take place on navigable waters, while admiralty law focuses primarily on the rights and liabilities of vessels and their owners.

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What is the difference between maritime law and admiralty law?

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