Archive for August 2014
Tugboat Captain Killed by Falling Crane
Even experienced boat operators can fall victim to tragic accidents. But when those accidents could have been avoided by following safety guidelines, it is even more tragic. If tugboat owners and operators fail to follow adequate safety measures, they are putting their lives, as well as the lives of their crews, at serious risk. A…
Read MoreSection of Ohio River Closes After Oil Spill
Another tragic oil spill has occurred on an American waterway, causing untold ecological damage and risking the lives of the workers who must now struggle to control the oil before it can seep into the area’s drinking water. Duke Energy admitted that it spilled almost 5,000 gallons of diesel into the Ohio River near Cincinnati…
Read MoreHow Do Ferry Crews Prepare for Unforeseeable Accidents?
Whenever we buy a ticket for a ferry, we innately trust that the crew of that boat is prepared for any kind of emergency situation. Of course, we also assume that the crew is trained well enough that no emergencies will arise in the first place, but unexpected accidents do happen. This is why the…
Read MoreGirl Dies in Tubing Accident on Long Island Sound
The waterfront in Greenwich CT is always popular with teenagers for boating and water sports during the heat of the summer. Teens are allowed to operate a boat without parental supervision so long as they have a state-issued safe boating certificate. Every now and then, though, something goes catastrophically wrong, reminding all of us of…
Read MoreTragedy Averted as Three People on Missing Boat Found Next Day
From the Atlantic Seaboard to Southern California, we all love to go out on the water. Too often, though, people are in such a rush to push off from the dock that they fail to consider their own safety needs. Especially when boating at night, every boater needs the proper safety equipment and the proper…
Read MorePassengers Stranded on Riverboat
Boating safety plays a huge role for every craft on the water, no matter how large or small. We must always bear that in mind, even when we board a historic paddleboat for a scenic tour. Things can go wrong, and we need to be prepared for every eventuality. Recently, almost 300 people were stranded…
Read MoreWater Jetpack Safety a Concern in Maryland
Having fun on the water is one of the great American pastimes. We all love the feel of spray in our faces and wind in our hair. Over the years, we’ve fallen in love with sailboats, speedboats, water skis, kiteboards, inner tubes and Jet Skis. This summer there is a new contraption to add to…
Read MoreFatalities and Injuries in Michigan Boating Accident
When we head out on a boat, we must always remember that we share the water with other boaters. Many boaters seem to think that regular rules no longer apply the moment they leave the dock. The regular rules do still apply: be safe, be courteous, be aware. Common sense should never get left on…
Read MoreMariners Denied Shore Leave When Owners Fail To Pay For Visas
The safe and efficient operation of a boat is greatly enhanced when mariners are given adequate shore leave. These furloughs are also proven to be beneficial to seafarers’ general wellbeing. Many sailors, however, are routinely denied shore leave by their bosses, because they do not have visas. The Maritime Labour Convention of 2006 (MLC) requires…
Read MoreIs Sexual Assault on Cruise Ships a Common Experience?
Cruise lines generally sell promises of safe and happy days on the water, far away from such mundane problems as traffic, yard work or crime. But the cruise industry has been rocked in recent years by a number of incidents of sexual assault. Testifying before Congress, Laurie Dishman revealed that a crew member raped her…
Read MoreLobstermen Rescued After Nine Hours in Raft
Even experienced boaters can have mishaps on the water. All it takes is a dark night, some thick fog and an inconveniently positioned rock or two. Two Maine lobstermen spent one terrifying night adrift in an inflatable life raft after their fishing vessel hit a ledge in thick fog last month and quickly sank. The…
Read MoreIs a Cargo Ship a Safe Option For My Trip Abroad?
These days, many ambitious travelers choose to sail around the world in a different kind of ship: a working cargo ship laden with thousands of containers, stacked like building blocks on the deck. Cargo ships that allow passengers limit the number to 12 or fewer. This is because having more requires a shipboard physician. In…
Read MoreTowboat Grounding Result of Mate’s Poor Training
Our oceans are one of the most important resources on Earth, and yet many businesses treat them like a dumping ground, allowing poorly trained crews to make avoidable mistakes. Time and again we hear of chemical leakage, oil spills, sunken ships and other atrocities that wreak havoc on the ecosystem and lead to crewmember injuries.…
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