Pertaining to the sea or ocean or the navigation thereof; or to commerce conducted by navigation of the sea or (in America) of the great lakes and rivers.
It is nearly equivalent to “marine” In many connections and uses; in others, the two words are used as quite distinct. Maritime cause. A cause of action originating on the high seas, or growing out of a maritime contract. 1 Kent, Comm. 367, et seq. Maritime contract. A contract whose subject matter has relation to the navigation of the seas or to trade or commerce to be conducted by navigation or to be done upon the sea or in ports. Over such contracts the admiralty has concurrent jurisdiction with the common law courts. Edwards v. Elliott, 21 Wall. 553, 22 L. Ed. 487; Doolittle v. Knobeloch (D. C.) 39 Fed. 40; Holt v. Cummings, 102 Pa. 215, 48 Am. Rep. 199; De Lovio v. Boit, 7 Fed. Cas. 435; Freights of The Kate (D. C.) 63 Fed. 720. Maritime court. A court exercising jurisdiction in maritime causes; one which possesses the powers and jurisdiction of a court of admiralty. Maritime interest. An expression equivalent to marine interest, (g. v.) Maritime jurisdiction. Jurisdiction in maritime causes; such jurisdiction as belongs to a court of admiralty on the instance side. Maritime law. That system of law which particularly relates to commerce and navigation, to business transacted at sea or relating to navigation, to ships and shipping, to seamen, to the transportation of persons and property by sea, and to marine affairs generally. The law relating to harbors, ships, and seamen. An important branch of the commercial law of maritime nations; divided into a variety of departments, such as those about harbors, property of ships, duties and rights of masters and seamen, contracts of affreightment, average, salvage, etc. Wharton; The Lottawanna, 21 Wall. 572. 22 L. Ed. 654; The Unadilla (D. C.) 73 Fed. 351; Jervey v. The Carolina (D. C.) 66 Fed. 1013. Maritime lien. A lien arising out of damage done by a ship in the course of navigation, as by collision, which attaches to the vessel and freight, and is to be enforced by an action in rem in the admiralty courts.