Dana Merkel focuses her practice on domestic and international marine transportation and environmental issues for clients worldwide. Clients include ship owners, operators, and managers; offshore construction companies; shippers, charterers; and terminals. Major areas of practice include:

• Compliance counseling under a myriad of international conventions and U.S. and foreign regulations

• Coastwise trade

• Offshore construction, oil & gas, and wind farm development

• Crew citizenship, including visa and entry issues

• Defense of administrative, civil, and criminal enforcement actions

• Internal investigations

• Pollution response

• Counseling on compliance and risk mitigation strategies

• Development of administrative and legislative solutions to maritime and environmental compliance challenges

• Vessel construction and flagging

• International trade and sanctions issues

Dana’s passion for the maritime industry began as a child growing up on Lake Superior, where she worked in marinas and on private yachts and small passenger vessels. She went on to graduate from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and worked through the International Organization of Masters, Mates, and Pilots (“MMP”) as a Third Mate and Qualified Member of the Engine Department (“QMED”) on a variety of vessel types, including container, dry bulk, tanker, ro-ro, ice breaker, and research vessels. Dana also worked ashore managing crude and product transportation for a major U.S. oil company.