Mustard Gas Exposure On Fishing Boat

New Bedford, Massachusetts – Investigators are pondering if Mustard gas made the crew of the 145-foot ESS Pursuit sick off the coast of Long Island last Sunday. The New Jersey Based clam boat was reported to have pulled up eight military shelves, possibly dating back to the World War I era. Crewmen have begun the process…

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The Jones Act Essentials: Answers to the Most Common Questions

The Jones Act is a law governing most maritime matters. It was created in 1920 to explicitly define the rights of injured seamen and their families because they were not covered by workers’ compensation laws. The most common explanation of when the Jones Act is applicable would be when a seaman is injured or dies…

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Former Deckhand Gives Safety Tips on River Towboats

According to a former deckhand, working on a river towboat is unlike any other offshore experience he’s had. The deckhand insists when you work on a ship, you don’t work a job. Rather, you live your job. Towboat, also called a line boat, are boats that push barges down water ways or rivers. These are…

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Three Companies Charged for Lives Lost in 2012 Oil Rig Explosion

In November 2012, an oil production platform exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in an oil spill, the injury of nine workers as well as the death of three workers. Late last year, the three companies responsible for the West Delta 32 platform explosion were finally faced with criminal charges. How Did the West…

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Are You Working On an Unsafe Tugboat?

Tugboats may be small compared to the loads they carry. However, they are solidly built, powerful and serve one of the most important purposes at a harbor. While tugboats are on average 150 feet long, they can produce up to 3,400 horse power. Larger tugboats can produce more than 27,000 horse power to haul barges…

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Safety Improvements All Oil Barge Operators Should Make

Due to the fact more oil is produced and shipped out of the U.S. in these past few years, a recent concern was brought forth by the Congressional Research Service last month. The sudden change in how the nation ships oil has left little time to analyze the safety of oil barges and tankers. Currently,…

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How Did Alaska Reduce the Number of Commercial Fishermen Deaths to Zero?

This month, the U.S. Coast Guard tallied up the numbers and it turns out Alaska made history. Last year is the first year that not a single commercial fisherman in the state died working at sea. While six commercial fishing boats sunk during this time period, every man on board was rescued. Between 1990 and…

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El Faro Update: Family Attorneys Try to Block Limited Liability Motion

Last October, 33 people lost their loves when the cargo ship, El Faro, sank off the coast of the Bahamas during a hurricane. Bangor Daily News called the tragedy the worst cargo shipping disaster since the 1980s. The vessel, owned by TOTE Maritime, had a history of substandard maintenance. As we’ve mentioned in previous blogs,…

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