Robert Herre has more than 35 years of shipbuilding and vessel operating experience. His educational credentials include a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Engineering and Nautical Science from the United States Merchant Marine Academy, a Master of Business Administration from Xavier University, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Louisville School of Law. Mr. Herre holds two active U.S. Coast Guard Licenses – Master of Towing Vessels and Chief Engineer Diesel with Unlimited Horsepower. He has held several executive positions in the Maritime Industry including President of Jeffboat, Executive Vice President of Trinity Marine Group, President of Manitowoc Marine Group, and Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Vane Brothers Companies.
Mr. Herre has first-hand management experience and legal experience with the following aspects of shipbuilding construction contracts and admiralty law:
Shipbuilding Contracts
Contract formation, breach of contract, damages for breach, defining scope of work, technical specifications, classification societies, owner furnished equipment, competitive bidding, bid evaluation criteria, contracting with the government, bid security devices, mistakes in bids, bid protests, relationships with naval architects, builder’s risk policies, performance bonds, termination for default, termination for convenience, progress payments, escalation formulas, exchange rates and customs fees/duties, lien waivers, change orders, directed changes, project scheduling, force majeure, excusable delay, damages for delay, constructive delay by owner, liquidated damages, acceleration, disruption, indemnity, rights and obligations of owner’s representative, liens, payment bonds, letters of credit, flow-down clauses, dispute resolution, dock/sea trials, substantial completion, final acceptance, title transfer, warranties for speed/fuel consumption/deadweight, and guarantees.
Admiralty Law:
1) CARRIAGE OF GOODS
Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, common carriage, private carriage, contract of affreightment, Himalaya provisions, due diligence as to seaworthiness, clause paramount, general average, both-to-blame collisions, New Jason, deviation, trading limits, speed/fuel/pumping warranties, H2S cargoes, indemnification, pollution responsibility apportionment, charter parties, towage, collision and marine casualty, limitation of liability, and salvage contracts.
2) PERSONNEL
Seaman status, maintenance and cure, Jones Act, standard of care and causation, unseaworthiness, longshore and harbor workers, offshore workers, overlap with state remedies, indemnity and contribution, Death on the High Seas Act, and wrongful death under general maritime law.
3) FINANCE
Preferred ship mortgages, maritime liens, necessaries, state law liens, discharge and extinction of liens, vessel arrest, and bankruptcy.
Current Topics of Interest: