Archive for April 2015
What Items Do Damage Control Kits Contain?
Imagine working on a fishing vessel when the bilge alarms begin to sound—now imagine the skipper telling you that the boat is taking on water. It is a scary situation to think about, but not terribly uncommon. This is why you can buy damage-control kits at marine supply stores and/or assemble them yourself. The kits…
Read MoreWhy Do Tug and Barge Accidents Occur?
As many barges are not self-propelled and need to be towed by tugboats, accidents involving them can be quite violent. Many barges carry heavy goods, meaning the weight involved in a crash lead to catastrophic damages for other vessels. One example of a barge accident that occurred recently involved a pair being towed by the…
Read MoreWhy Do Norovirus Outbreaks Occur on Cruise Ships?
Recently, it was reported that Celebrity Cruise’s Infinity returned to San Diego after 106 passengers aboard the vessel, including six crewmembers, came down with a norovirus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is investigating the outbreak, said that it has collected stool samples from passengers to determine how the outbreak occurred. Those who…
Read MoreCan the Coast Guard Suspend an Operator’s License?
Can the Coast Guard Suspend an Operator’s License? In a blog post last month, we explained how overcrowding on ferries and the operation of vessels in poor conditions can lead to safety issues. It should be noted that many of the same rules and regulations that apply to ferries also pertain to other vessels such…
Read MoreDrunk Boating Accidents: How Can an Attorney Help?
We have brought up several times in previous blogs the dangers of drunken recreational boating. Sadly, alcohol use is a factor in almost a third of all recreational boating fatalities in the U.S., according to the U.S. Coast Guard. With this in mind, a former state delegate in Maryland who was convicted of drunken boating…
Read MoreCan an Attorney Help an Injured Shipyard Worker?
Can an Attorney Help an Injured Shipyard Worker? Updating a blog post we brought you last Friday, the co-worker of a man killed in a Colonna’s Shipyard accident in Virginia says the victim had extensive experience using the construction equipment involved in his death. On March 30, rescue crews found 58-year-old Donald R. Thomas, of…
Read MoreTugboat Hits Bridge, Barges Break Free
We have been blogging a lot recently about towboat accidents as a way to raise awareness that these vessels are often involved in mishaps. Remember, even though tugboats may have a smaller size and build than other vessels, unsafe working conditions can lead to serious accidents. Tugboat crashes can result from equipment malfunctions, electrical complications…
Read MoreShould I Seek Legal Advice Following a Towboat Death?
Sadly, last week, the U.S. Coast Guard suspended the search for a missing towboat deckhand who reportedly fell overboard from a vessel into the Mississippi River. According to Professional Mariner, the man went missing near Osceola, Arkansas, on April 7. He allegedly fell overboard from the Joe Ellis into the Mississippi River at the Mid…
Read MoreDo Injured Shipyard Workers Have Legal Rights?
Are you shipyard, harbor, longshore or dockworker? If you are, then you may understand that your job can be dangerous as accidents occur regularly among maritime workers on land in the U.S. You should know that because of this, you might have protections under the Longshore Act or other laws, if you are injured on…
Read MoreFlorida Fisherman Injured When Boat Runs Aground
Sadly, four commercial fishermen were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard last month when their 63-foot boat ran aground near Fort Lauderdale Beach. According to media reports, the Joyce Lynn II was heading back after a crabbing expedition when it ran aground on submerged reef, north of Port Everglades, in Florida. According to reports, as…
Read MoreClub Promoter Injured in Miami Boating Accident
Club Promoter Injured in Miami Boating Accident Last week, we discussed how recreational boating accidents can occur when we blogged about a capsizing incident that led to the death of a man in Georgia. Remember, boating accidents can occur for a number of reasons including overcrowding and collisions with other vessels, as well as collisions…
Read MoreLatti and Anderson Speaking at Education Seminar
The maritime attorneys, Carolyn Latti and David Anderson, of Latti & Anderson, are happy to announce that they will be speaking at the 2015 Education Seminar for the Mariners Club of Massachusetts on Thursday, April 2, 2015. Registration for the seminar will begin at 9 a.m. and attorneys David Anderson and Carolyn Latti are expected…
Read MoreHow Dangerous are Tugboat Accidents?
Earlier this month, we discussed how some people assume that tugboats are safer than other vessels due to their smaller size and build. However, poor working conditions aboard tugboats can still lead to serious accidents. Remember, a vessel’s unseaworthiness can lead to collisions, equipment malfunctions, electrical complications and fires, in addition to capsizing and sinking…
Read More