Maritime Law "Second Edition"

By: Lamberto V. Pia

The second edition of the book "Maritime Law" written by Atty. Lamberto V. Pia
introduces the fundamentals of maritime law to students who are studying maritime
related profession and provides them a background of contemporary maritime law. One
of its objectives is to make maritime students familiarize with basic concepts and
fundamental of shipping to make them aware of complexities of the maritime industry
(MARINA) without having them to result in extensive literature.

The book is essential because it provides vital information regarding the laws,
specifically international maritime laws; it also helps students to be aware about the
rules and regulations. It makes them aware of what to do and not to do, what is right
and what is wrong. Not only that it is making the aware but also makes them ready for
future problems on board and how to cope up with it or how to avoid regulation/law
violation at sea. The author wrote this book as a continuation of his first book which
somehow satisfies the needs for the material and also for additional information.

The contribution of this book is important because it deals with the structure of
international maritime law like Republic Act No. 9295 that states An Act of Promoting
the Development of the Philippine Domestic Shipping, Ship Building, Ship Repair and
Ship Breaking, Ordaining Reforms in Government Policies Towards Shipping in the
Philippines, and Other Purposes ; and the Rules and Regulation Implementing
Republic Act 9295 and being approved by MARINA board on November 30, 2004.

Sources of contemporary maritime law are exceptionally laid out. "The actual
materials from which one can determine the law applicable to a given situation are (1)
national laws, rules and regulations, (2) decisions, and (3) international maritime
conventions" (p. 14). And regarding these conventions, there exist a question as to their
purpose. The answer may be summarized in three principles: Uniformity of Law,
Certainty of Law, and Justice.

Pia also cited sources like the ILO Maritime Labor Conventions, IMO news
magazines, and significant papers from the World Maritime University . These are well-
known sources in the field that adds a great deal to his work's credibility. Acquiring the
knowledge of the substance of this book by maritime students is essential because it
states the necessary standardization of juridical regimes since "the sea with its winds,
storms, dangers, doesn't change" ( p. 1) and "what is respected and shared by all
mariners as law of the sea is their common existence with the sea" (p. 7).

Overall this book Maritime Law Second Edition displays its content in a
straightforward and concise manner. It effectively presents its aims and goals and it is
very helpful because the content is very accurate. The author also stated the laws
clearly. I could highly recommend it to anyone who wants to involve their selves in
maritime industry also to maritime students and practitioners, ship masters, ship officer,
crews and especially to their families and to the Maritime related institution because it
will give them awareness and to have a better and broader understanding about the
maritime industry laws, rules and regulation that govern it.