There’s an old saying: “Men and ships rot in port.” That’s not all. They also get taxed. State legislatures have identified “rich” yacht people as easy prey for raising revenue and have set their tax authorities on them like hounds on a rabbit.

For long-term and liveaboard cruisers must understand the tax ramifications they face as they move their boats from state to state along the East Coast. There are time limits, for example, after which the boat owner becomes liable, and there also exceptions.

TrawlerFest presenter Todd Lochner is not an ordinary lawyer. He’s a boater himself and his specialty is maritime law in all its facets, including tax and fee policies. His practice often involves defending boaters that have been unfairly targeted. His seminar at TrawlerFest will provide the guidance every East Coast cruiser needs to stay two steps ahead of the taxman.

The seminar will be conducted on 10:45-12:45 on Saturday, Sept. 27. TrawlerFest is at the Harborview Marine Center in Baltimore.

Lochner graduated cum laude from the Tulane Law School, with a Maritime Law Certificate from the Tulane Maritime Law Center and a Certificate of Advanced Study and Training in Arbitration. While attending Tulane, Lochner was a member of the Tulane Maritime Law Journal, where he has also published. His undergraduate studies were completed at The George Washington University.

Prior to starting his own law firm in 1999, Lochner worked at a maritime law firm located in the Port of Baltimore and for the general counsel of Airbus (the North American office).

Lochner is a member of the bars of the State of Maryland, the United States District Courts for the Districts of Maryland and D.C., as well as, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. He keeps abreast of changes in the maritime law as a member of the Maritime Law Association and by attending education programs sponsored by the Admiralty Law Institute.

He has served in the leadership of the Recreational Boating Committee of the Maritime Law Association, the Legal Committee for the United States Sailing Association as well as being a member of the Mid-Atlantic Mariners Club and Marine Trades Association of Maryland. Lochner is a Past President of the Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association and a Past President of the the Paca-Brent American Inns of Court. He is also currently serving as a member of the Board of Trustees for Annapolis Community Boating, Inc.

Lochner is an avid sailor who has been a part of the recreational maritime industry since his employment as a sailing instructor in 1992. Lochner competed in campaigns for the 2007 and a 2009 Melges 24 World Championships where his team placed first and second respectively in the Corinthian class.

He is a member of the Eastport Yacht Club in Annapolis.