I wouldnt imagine that this has anything to do with marine law, the boat was unfit for the purpose intended and that should be the end of it. I wouldnt think that canals being subject to different laws as its hardly international waters.

yeah i have been corrected already maritime law (though ELC says it might come under Enviramental Law) its not my fault she called it marine law i was just going on what she asked me to do.

(Edited by bipolar 26/12/2003 18:13)

Maritime Law is for disuptes which occur at sea is it not?? I'd think this would be more covered by the Sale Of Goods Act or somesuch.

From what you've said your friend paid a deposit for the canal boat(or barge as they're usually called) and was then told that she probably wouldn't get much use out of it as the base is unsafe. Did the person selling it say that there were no problems with it?? If so I'd say she has a case but if not then I would think that she's stuck.

If the seller asked for a non-refundable deposit and was given it then they have every right to keep it. If the barge is currently in working order and the problem is that it won't last very long then your friend should be able to persuade them to bring the price down...if not then maybe next time she should get these things checked before making an agreement to buy.

milky hun ive already said im just writing what i was told and ELC corrected me in a chat apparently maritime is what its called coz as JtB mentions Marine Law is at sea and international waters. you've kinda already stated the obvious stuff (it's what i've already told her myself) i was kinda after anyone here who might've had any knowledge on law reguarding it.
no she was told it was perfectly fine but she had to travel across england to check it out and brought soemone else with her who could check it out and give their professional opinion im guessin she put the deposit down on the basis that they would hold it for her while she travelled up there (im still not clear on that part) but there was never any mention of it being non-refundable.
she's a very intelligent lady im sure she'll figure it out or prolly just not bother.

thanks anyway guys *hugs*

Being a sailor, I might be able to help.

Maritime law applies to all waters navigable by sea going vessels. This includes inland waterways as long as they can be travelled by sea going vessels. The canal boat can travel on these waterways and in some cases there are those that can travel over the channel. These therefor are covered are covered by maritime law.

To find out about canal boats your friends best bet is to contact the maritime and coastguard agency (MCA). They have offices all around the uk and their website is www.mcga.gov.uk

They provide all the regulations for vessels and give information as to the requirements for vessels to be classified and given a certificate of sea worthiness.

Unfortunatley canal boats are not my strong point. If your friend was buying a 70,000 ton dwt product tanker then I might be able to help a bit more.

Hope I was some help

thank you sailor as i said before any help is appriciated i shall forward her to your link.

"Shipppp Ahooooooyy!"

Sorry thats about all I know about boats!