1. General Maritime Law.—
Navigation and commerce by sea are regulated by maritime law. This is a branch of jurisprudence which developed out of the necessities of the business with which it has to deal. It is, therefore, as old as navigation itself and many of its rules can be traced back to antiquity. It extends over all navigable waters and is enforced by courts of admiralty.
This law is to be found in the statutory laws of different countries, the decisions of the courts and text-books on the subjects involved. Back of the laws of each particular country is what is termed the general maritime law or common law of the sea, which, like the common law of the land, consists of that general mass of usages and customs which exists by the universal consent and immemorial practice of those doing business by sea. It is effective within particular countries only so far as they consent to follow it, as is the case with international law, of which it is really a part. In general, however, it is recognized and enforced wherever the local laws are silent in regard to maritime transactions.