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Florida Bar Admiralty & Maritime Law Certification
Exam | Latest Verified Questions and Detailed Answers
OVERVIEW DESCRIPTION
This Comprehensive set of multiple choice questions is designed for the Florida Bar
Admiralty & Maritime Law Certification Exam, administered by The Florida Bar Board
of Legal Specialization and Education. The exam assesses a practitioner’s depth of
knowledge across the intersection of federal statutory maritime law, general maritime
law, and state law issues affecting the sea. The multiple-choice component tests
substantive and procedural mastery in core areas including admiralty jurisdiction and
procedure (in rem, in personam, limitation of liability), seamen’s claims (Jones Act,
maintenance and cure, warranty of seaworthiness), the Longshore and Harbor
Workers’ Compensation Act, liability for passenger and recreational boating accidents,
cargo claims under the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, collision and allision law under
COLREGs and inland rules, salvage and general average, marine pollution and
environmental liability (including OPA 90), and marine insurance and maritime liens.
QUESTION 1
A longshoreman employed by a stevedoring company is injured while unloading a
vessel berthed in navigable waters. He files a claim for compensation under the
Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). He also wishes to sue the
vessel owner for negligence. Under 33 U.S.C. § 905(b), what must the longshoreman
prove to recover from the vessel owner?
A. The vessel owner failed to provide a seaworthy vessel.
B. The vessel owner was negligent and such negligence caused his injury.
C. The vessel owner breached an express warranty of workmanlike service.
D. The vessel owner violated an applicable OSHA regulation.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
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EXPERT RATIONALE: Section 905(b) permits a longshore worker to sue a vessel owner
only for negligence; the vessel owner is not liable for unseaworthiness. Strict liability or
breach of warranty does not apply.
QUESTION 2
A cruise passenger slips on a wet deck during a Caribbean voyage. The passenger sues
the cruise line for personal injuries. Which standard of care applies under general
maritime law?
A. Strict liability as a common carrier.
B. Ordinary reasonable care under the circumstances.
C. The highest degree of care as an insurer of passenger safety.
D. Negligence per se based on Coast Guard regulations.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: Under general maritime law, a cruise line owes passengers the duty
of ordinary reasonable care under the circumstances, not strict liability or an insurer’s
duty. There is no heightened common-carrier strict liability in modern maritime
passenger law.
QUESTION 3
Under the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act (COGSA), which of the following statements
about
the 500per−packagelimitationofliabilityiscorrect?A.Thelimitappliesonlyiftheship
perdeclaresahighervalueandpaysextrafreight.B.Thelimitisautomatic,andthecarrie
rcannotraiseiteveniftheshipperdeclaresahighervalue.C.Thecarriermaylimitliabilit
yto500per−packagelimitationofliabilityiscorrect?A.Thelimitappliesonlyiftheship
perdeclaresahighervalueandpaysextrafreight.B.Thelimitisautomatic,andthecarri
ercannotraiseiteveniftheshipperdeclaresahighervalue.C.Thecarriermaylimitliabi
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lityto500 per package unless the shipper declares a higher value and that value is
inserted in the bill of lading.
D. The limit does not apply to goods carried on deck if the bill of lading states they are
carried on deck.
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: COGSA § 4(5) allows the carrier to limit liability to $500 per package
unless the shipper declares a higher value before shipment and that value is stated in
the bill of lading. The shipper may negotiate a higher limit by paying additional freight if
required.
QUESTION 4
Two power-driven vessels are meeting head-on in international waters, risk of collision
exists. Under the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs),
what action is required?
A. Both vessels must alter course to starboard.
B. The vessel that is downbound must keep clear.
C. Both vessels must stop engines and sound five short blasts.
D. The larger vessel has the right of way regardless of situation.
CORRECT ANSWER: A
EXPERT RATIONALE: COLREGs Rule 14 (head-on situation) requires both power-driven
vessels to alter course to starboard so that each passes on the port side of the other.
QUESTION 5
A seaman sustains an injury while working aboard a vessel in navigation. Under the
doctrine of maintenance and cure, the shipowner’s obligation extends until what point?
A. The date the seaman is able to return to work.
B. The date the seaman reaches maximum medical cure.
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C. The date the seaman’s compensation under the Jones Act begins.
D. The date the seaman files a lawsuit.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: Maintenance and cure continues until the seaman reaches
maximum medical improvement, meaning no further improvement is reasonably
possible. It is not tied to filing suit or return to work.
QUESTION 6
Which of the following is a prerequisite for a federal court to exercise in rem admiralty
jurisdiction over a vessel?
A. The vessel must be engaged in foreign commerce.
B. The plaintiff must have a maritime lien against the vessel.
C. The vessel owner must be personally served within the district.
D. The United States must be a party.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: An in rem action against a vessel requires that the plaintiff holds a
maritime lien, which gives the court jurisdiction over the res. The vessel itself is the
defendant.
QUESTION 7
In a limitation of liability proceeding under the Limitation of Liability Act, a vessel owner
files a petition to limit liability following a collision. What must the owner establish to
limit liability to the value of the vessel and pending freight?
A. The owner exercised due diligence to make the vessel seaworthy.
B. The loss occurred without the owner’s privity or knowledge.
C. The owner promptly filed the petition within six months of the casualty.
Florida Bar Admiralty & Maritime Law Certification
Exam | Latest Verified Questions and Detailed Answers
OVERVIEW DESCRIPTION
This Comprehensive set of multiple choice questions is designed for the Florida Bar
Admiralty & Maritime Law Certification Exam, administered by The Florida Bar Board
of Legal Specialization and Education. The exam assesses a practitioner’s depth of
knowledge across the intersection of federal statutory maritime law, general maritime
law, and state law issues affecting the sea. The multiple-choice component tests
substantive and procedural mastery in core areas including admiralty jurisdiction and
procedure (in rem, in personam, limitation of liability), seamen’s claims (Jones Act,
maintenance and cure, warranty of seaworthiness), the Longshore and Harbor
Workers’ Compensation Act, liability for passenger and recreational boating accidents,
cargo claims under the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, collision and allision law under
COLREGs and inland rules, salvage and general average, marine pollution and
environmental liability (including OPA 90), and marine insurance and maritime liens.
QUESTION 1
A longshoreman employed by a stevedoring company is injured while unloading a
vessel berthed in navigable waters. He files a claim for compensation under the
Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). He also wishes to sue the
vessel owner for negligence. Under 33 U.S.C. § 905(b), what must the longshoreman
prove to recover from the vessel owner?
A. The vessel owner failed to provide a seaworthy vessel.
B. The vessel owner was negligent and such negligence caused his injury.
C. The vessel owner breached an express warranty of workmanlike service.
D. The vessel owner violated an applicable OSHA regulation.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
,2|Page
EXPERT RATIONALE: Section 905(b) permits a longshore worker to sue a vessel owner
only for negligence; the vessel owner is not liable for unseaworthiness. Strict liability or
breach of warranty does not apply.
QUESTION 2
A cruise passenger slips on a wet deck during a Caribbean voyage. The passenger sues
the cruise line for personal injuries. Which standard of care applies under general
maritime law?
A. Strict liability as a common carrier.
B. Ordinary reasonable care under the circumstances.
C. The highest degree of care as an insurer of passenger safety.
D. Negligence per se based on Coast Guard regulations.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: Under general maritime law, a cruise line owes passengers the duty
of ordinary reasonable care under the circumstances, not strict liability or an insurer’s
duty. There is no heightened common-carrier strict liability in modern maritime
passenger law.
QUESTION 3
Under the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act (COGSA), which of the following statements
about
the 500per−packagelimitationofliabilityiscorrect?A.Thelimitappliesonlyiftheship
perdeclaresahighervalueandpaysextrafreight.B.Thelimitisautomatic,andthecarrie
rcannotraiseiteveniftheshipperdeclaresahighervalue.C.Thecarriermaylimitliabilit
yto500per−packagelimitationofliabilityiscorrect?A.Thelimitappliesonlyiftheship
perdeclaresahighervalueandpaysextrafreight.B.Thelimitisautomatic,andthecarri
ercannotraiseiteveniftheshipperdeclaresahighervalue.C.Thecarriermaylimitliabi
,3|Page
lityto500 per package unless the shipper declares a higher value and that value is
inserted in the bill of lading.
D. The limit does not apply to goods carried on deck if the bill of lading states they are
carried on deck.
CORRECT ANSWER: C
EXPERT RATIONALE: COGSA § 4(5) allows the carrier to limit liability to $500 per package
unless the shipper declares a higher value before shipment and that value is stated in
the bill of lading. The shipper may negotiate a higher limit by paying additional freight if
required.
QUESTION 4
Two power-driven vessels are meeting head-on in international waters, risk of collision
exists. Under the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs),
what action is required?
A. Both vessels must alter course to starboard.
B. The vessel that is downbound must keep clear.
C. Both vessels must stop engines and sound five short blasts.
D. The larger vessel has the right of way regardless of situation.
CORRECT ANSWER: A
EXPERT RATIONALE: COLREGs Rule 14 (head-on situation) requires both power-driven
vessels to alter course to starboard so that each passes on the port side of the other.
QUESTION 5
A seaman sustains an injury while working aboard a vessel in navigation. Under the
doctrine of maintenance and cure, the shipowner’s obligation extends until what point?
A. The date the seaman is able to return to work.
B. The date the seaman reaches maximum medical cure.
, 4|Page
C. The date the seaman’s compensation under the Jones Act begins.
D. The date the seaman files a lawsuit.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: Maintenance and cure continues until the seaman reaches
maximum medical improvement, meaning no further improvement is reasonably
possible. It is not tied to filing suit or return to work.
QUESTION 6
Which of the following is a prerequisite for a federal court to exercise in rem admiralty
jurisdiction over a vessel?
A. The vessel must be engaged in foreign commerce.
B. The plaintiff must have a maritime lien against the vessel.
C. The vessel owner must be personally served within the district.
D. The United States must be a party.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: An in rem action against a vessel requires that the plaintiff holds a
maritime lien, which gives the court jurisdiction over the res. The vessel itself is the
defendant.
QUESTION 7
In a limitation of liability proceeding under the Limitation of Liability Act, a vessel owner
files a petition to limit liability following a collision. What must the owner establish to
limit liability to the value of the vessel and pending freight?
A. The owner exercised due diligence to make the vessel seaworthy.
B. The loss occurred without the owner’s privity or knowledge.
C. The owner promptly filed the petition within six months of the casualty.
