Archive for June 2014
Another Chemical Spill, This Time Asphalt
Another Chemical Spill, This Time Asphalt Nearly 11,000 gallons of asphalt spilled into the Mystic River, near Everett, MA, earlier this month. The Coast Guard is monitoring the cleanup efforts. Apparently this spill was caused by a hose failure, but luckily there have been no known environmental impacts. The liquid asphalt has solidified around the…
Read MoreNew Boating Safety Law Passes in New York
A new state law passed in New York requires boaters to take a safe-boating course. It applies to anyone born after May 1996 — which means that this year, every 18-year-old (or younger) boater must be certified. Violations can result in fines of up to $250. Officials say it is not just the requirement, but…
Read MoreCrewmember Falls To Death While Ship Is At Anchor
A crewmember on a 19-ton cargo ship was fatally injured as a result of a fall. The crewman had been working in a steel basket attached, high above the deck, to the on-board electric provision crane. The crewmember was said to be painting at the time of his fall, and the crane was not suitable…
Read MoreCan Power Lines Over The Water Be A Safety Hazard?
Can Power Lines Over The Water Be A Safety Hazard? A pair of harbormaster boats were the first to arrive on the scene when a small boat’s mast struck high-tension power lines over the Weweantic River in Massachusetts last month. There were only two people onboard, and both escaped injury. “It’s short of a miracle…
Read MoreCould Improved Training Help Lower Accident Rates?
Could Improved Training Help Lower Accident Rates? DNV GL, the world’s largest ship and offshore classification society, has declared the dire need for a massive reduction in the number of accidents occurring throughout the shipping industry. Tor Svensen, president of DNV Maritime and Oil & Gas, announced that a trend which had been improving is…
Read MoreFire Disables Tugboat off Rhode Island
Just last week, the 126-foot tugboat Viking was pushing a barge loaded with barrels of gasoline, when an engine fire erupted. The Coast Guard, along with crews from Rhode Island and Massachusetts, responded to distress calls from the disabled tug where it sat helplessly stuck 18 miles east of Rhode Island. The vessel’s onboard fixed…
Read MoreDoes Weather Play a Part in Maritime Safety?
A tugboat captain whose barges collided with a cargo freighter in Texas said the larger vessel “increased its speed in foggy conditions,” making it impossible to avoid the crash. There were no injuries in the accident, but authorities thoroughly examined the evidence during a weeklong hearing, since nearly 170,000 gallons of oil spilled into the…
Read MoreThe Owner Of My Ship Ignores Safety Guidelines. What Can I Do?
The U.S. Coast Guard reports that during a November fishing expedition, a 72-foot trawler and its seven-member crew were 150 miles southeast of Cape Cod, when the engineer noticed loose bolts on the stuffing box housing. The whole unit was moving freely with the propulsion shaft. The owner and port engineer advised the onboard engineer…
Read MoreJoin Us At The Commercial Marine Expo Today
We are at the Commercial Marine Expo today, and it is amazing! There are so many wonderful people, exhibits and demonstrations going on—if you are in the area, why not come on down to the State Pier in New Bedford? We will be here until 4 p.m., and all day tomorrow! As we mentioned last…
Read MoreWhat Should I Do If My Boat Catches Fire?
During a day trip off Cape Disappointment, a Washington-based wooden crab boat caught fire with the skipper and two deckhands on board. One of the deckhands heard odd sounds coming from the engine room. He remembered that the vessel’s hydraulic system, which had been a problem before, had recently been repaired. Just as he entered…
Read MoreOur Lawyers Help Fisherman Secure $925,000 Settlement
In the wake of an incident that left a fisherman with severe injuries, our firm was able to help him recover a $925,000 settlement. Prior to suffering the injuries, the man was working on a boat owned and operated by the Dona Martita Fishing Co. LLC, which is based out of Massachusetts. The incident that…
Read MoreOur Firm Wishes Our Longtime Legal Assistant a Happy Retirement and Thanks Her for 41 Years of Invaluable Service
After 41 years of loyal and excellent service, our longtime administrative assistant, Donna, has retired from the firm. Donna began her career at another law firm, but she made her way to Latti & Anderson LLP after a co-worker from her prior firm recommended it to her. March 2014 marked Donna’s 41st year working at…
Read More2014 Commercial Marine Expo Coming to New Bedford June 11-12
2014 Commercial Marine Expo Coming to New Bedford June 11-12 The Commercial Marine Expo is set to return to the State Pier in New Bedford, Massachusetts June 11-12, 2014. As the Atlantic Seaboard’s largest commercial marine trade show, the Commercial Marine Expo offers those in the maritime industry the opportunity to see hundreds of exhibitors,…
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