Society of Maritime Arbitrators issues expanded ?blue book?

Society of Maritime Arbitrators issues expanded ôblue bookö    The Society of Maritime Arbitrators Inc., based in New York, said the fourth edition of its “blue book” of arbitration rules will soon be distributed.
   The expanded booklet, entitled “Maritime Arbitration in New York,” adds updated SMA rules for shortened arbitration procedures as well as the Society’s rules for mediation
   A new appendix provides standard terms for administering the Society’s escrow fund for those who want to secure arbitration fees and expenses.
   The preamble to the “blue book” contains one especially timely update. It now states that all references to arbitrators are deemed “gender neutral.”
   The Society’s rules were previously revised in 1994. For information on how to obtain the new edition of the “blue book,” call David W. Martowski, president of the SMA, at (212) 344-2400.