The author makes it clear in the Preface that this book “is entirely of a practical nature” and is of use to the legal practitioner who, or business concern which, is engaged in maritime affairs and wishes information on ship registration and various related matters concerned with Panama. The reader is informed at the beginning of the book of the various Panama consulates abroad, with details of their addresses, telephone numbers and telex details. This information is followed by the organizations approved by Panama as companies in charge of radio accounts of all vessels registered under the Panamanian flag.

In this volume there will be found information on registration charges and data and the necessary documents for registration, whether temporary or permanent, and the provisions of the Panamanian Laws Nos. 11 and 83 of 1973 concerning registration of ships under charter. The legislation relating to incentives for registration in Panama (namely Executive Decree No. 42 of 19 September 1986) is discussed and explained. There is material on the registration of mortgages and the relevant charges; the registration of releases of mortgages; the admiralty jurisdiction in Panama; the attachment of ships passing through the Canal or calling at Panamanian ports and their release and various model forms, e.g., form A on registration under the Panamanian flag, form B on the transfer of ownership, etc., form C on the change of name; form D on the extension of provisional patent, and numerous other model forms on certificate of competency, consent of sale, new clients’ identification form, extension of provisional radio licence. These provide invaluable information to the practitioner. A model of a power of attorney to act for registration of ships and explanatory accompanying notes will also be found.

The second half of the book is devoted to setting out the various maritime laws of Panama. Law No. 43 of 8 November 1984 (modification of Articles of the Commercial Code) is given in full. There will also be found a part of the Mercantile Code of Panama on maritime commerce. This treats vessels; shipowners and managers; the master of a ship, and his general obligations and liabilities; charterparties; collisions; salvage, ship’s mortgages, and other pertinent matters. Parts of the Panamanian Labour Code relating to labour at sea and in navigable waters will also be found.

This is a most informative book for the practitioner. It provides invaluable, essential and up-to-date information on ship registration and related matters. Dr de Alba has set himself the task of providing “… in a convenient form information on the facilities of the Panamanian system …” relating to ship registries. He succeeds admirably in his task.