Archive for March 2015
Is the Jones Act Still Being Debated?
Updating a series of blog posts we brought you recently, the Jones Act still appears to be under fire from lawmakers who would like to see the law repealed or want exemptions made to it. According to the Associated Press, Hawaiian lawmakers have asked that the state be made exempt from portions of the Jones…
Read MoreWhy Do Recreational Boats Capsize?
When it comes to recreational boating accidents, capsizing incidents are not uncommon. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, in 2013, there were an estimated 250 capsizing events reported to the agency involving recreational boats, resulting in about 175 deaths and more than 330 injuries. Unfortunately, capsizing incidents can occur for a number of reasons, including…
Read MoreWhy Do Fires Occur on Vessels?
Unfortunately, fires on vessels are not uncommon. Remember, fire incidents can occur on boats for a number of reasons, including: The failure to properly maintain and repair equipment Defective equipment A lack of safety procedures The failure to follow regulations regarding chemicals and flammable cargo Interestingly, according to Seaworthy, about 55 percent of boat fires occur…
Read MoreWhy Should I Have a Fatal Maritime Accident Investigated?
If your loved one is killed in a maritime accident, it may be in your best interest to speak to an attorney familiar with this particular practice of law. Keep in mind, in some instances, following a fatal accident, there will be questions surrounding liability. Often, various agencies are tasked with investigating an accident. It…
Read MoreNew York Harbor Crash Remains Controversial
A New York Harbor accident that occurred last year remains controversial, as investigators are not in a complete agreement about what happened. Updating the story we brought you last fall, the U.S. Coast Guard has determined that rough seas resulted in a New York Harbor pilot boat smashing into the side of a ship. Although…
Read MoreHow Important Are Cargo Load Limits?
Did you know that there are cargo load limits for vessels like ferries? Remember, cargo can include the number of passengers onboard a vessel. Unfortunately, some deadly maritime accidents occurring worldwide recently have highlighted how important these load limits are. Remember, each vessel is built with specific licensed load limits. In addition to this, operators…
Read MoreAre There Noise Regulations for Ship Machinery?
Are There Noise Regulations for Ship Machinery? Did you know that there are regulations in place to protect mariners from ships making excessive noise? These regulations are designed to save maritime workers from injuries that could occur like hearing loss. Last July, under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), a…
Read MoreWhy Would a Recreational Boat Strike Land?
If you follow trends in recreational boating, recently there have been a number of high profile cases where vessels have struck land or properties. Remember, recreational boats can run aground for a number of reasons, including: Drunk boating Speeding or reckless operation Poor weather Inexperienced operators Defective equipment These are just a few reasons why a…
Read MoreWhat Are Some Common Tugboat Accident Injuries?
Did you know that a tugboat accident could lead to serious personal injuries? Many people are unaware of the complexities of the operation of a tug boat and often think their smaller size leads to a safer work environment. However, poor working conditions on a tug can lead to claims of negligence and unseaworthiness. Many…
Read MoreHow Can I Avoid Overcrowding a Ferry Stairwell?
Last fall, in an attempt to reduce injuries associated with ferry accidents, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) began warning vessel operators that they needed to do more to keep passengers from packing into stairwells during safety maneuvers. The agency issued an alert following the January 2013 Seastreak Wall Street accident in New York. In…
Read MoreWinter Weather Keeping Coast Guard Busy
Updating a blog post we brought you last week, the U.S. Coast Guard is using the brutal winter weather as a training opportunity for guardsmen in the north. According to WSTM-TV, over the past couple of weeks, guardsmen working out of the Oswego Coast Guard station in New York have been training in ice and…
Read MoreAre There Regulations to Prevent Commercial Fishermen Falls?
Are There Regulations to Prevent Commercial Fishermen Falls? Did you know that OSHA has regulations in place to help prevent fall accidents? Employees can sustain falls on boats, including workers doing the maintenance, cleaning, repair, alteration and/or overhaul of a vessel. These incidents can occur at sea, dockside or in a shipyard. According to OSHA,…
Read MoreCoast Guard Alert Compilation Reveals 18 Years of Safety Concerns
Coast Guard Alert Compilation Reveals 18 Years of Safety Concerns Have you ever wondered why the U.S. Coast Guard releases safety alerts? Recently, the Coast Guard compiled a list of all of the alerts it issued between 1996 and 2014, and browsing through the catalog is quite interesting. For example, a safety alert issued in…
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