Archive for August 2016
What Has the NTSB Learned from This Year’s Maritime Accidents?
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its annual report on maritime accidents from the last year and what has been learned from them. The 72-page report examines 29 major maritime accidents in 2015 with high casualty numbers. It seems the report gleaned three major lessons from last year’s accidents, including: The hazards associated…
Read More9-Year-Old Dies in Tragic Boating Accident
Two boys fell off a rented pontoon boat while at a Maryland resort and both were struck by the boat’s propellers. The 11-year-old boy sustained lacerations, but survived the boating accident. The 9-year-old, however, suffered more serious injuries and went into cardiac arrest before dying. This was the third Maryland boating accident involving rented pontoon…
Read MoreShould I talk to an Insurance Company After a Maritime Accident?
Consider this situation: you’ve just suffered a maritime injury and are trying to recover. You’re in pain, probably shocked, traumatized by your accident and may have family worried about you. On top of all of this, you now have medical bills and possibly lost wages to contend with. However, any injury or death is covered…
Read MoreMaine Lobsterman Dies After Falling Overboard
A Maine lobsterman died this month after falling off a boat near Jonesport. The lobster boat crewmembers contacted the U.S. Coast Guard, but the lobsterman was dead by the time they arrived in spite of CPR attempts. The lobsterman left a wife and a young son behind. Falling Overboard is a Leading Cause of Maritime…
Read MoreWas the Tugboat Accident Near the Tappan Zee Bridge Avoidable?
In previous blogs, we wrote about the tragedy near the Tappan Zee Bridge that claimed the lives of three workers. Three tugboats were pushing a barge across the Hudson River when one of the tugs hit a construction barge and sank with three crewmembers still trapped inside. It took months to recover all three bodies.…
Read MoreWhat If an Employer Refuses to Pay Maintenance and Cure After a Fishing Accident?
A commercial fisherman was tying lines on a boat when he became trapped in marsh wetlands. He struggled and injured his legs and knees while trying to get free. The Captain left him in the wetlands and continued on course, essentially abandoning the fisherman to struggle and exacerbate his injuries. The worst part is the…
Read MoreWhat are the Most Common Types of Injuries to Vessel Cooks and Stewards?
It’s easy to think most maritime accidents only involve commercial fishermen, longshoremen and deckhands. However, vessel cooks and stewards are also susceptible to injuries at sea. Vessel cooks are necessary on smaller vessels, such as tugboats, as well as larger vessels, like yachts or cruise ships. Vessel stewards are also necessary to perform housekeeping duties…
Read MoreWhat Caused This Fatal Barge Accident?
Last month, a 5-year-old boy and his father were on a frogging trip on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway when a towing barge got too close to their boat. The boy and his father jumped overboard to avoid the barge accident. The father resurfaced, but the boy was later found dead underneath the barge. What are…
Read MoreWhat to Expect After a Maritime Injury
If you’re in a car accident, you know what to do. You call the police and file an insurance claim. However, when you experience a traumatizing maritime injury while working at sea, things work a lot differently. In all of the confusion, it can be easy to say or do the wrong thing that could…
Read MoreWhat are the Most Common Causes of Injuries for Commercial Fishermen?
Commercial fishing is a hard and physically demanding job. It also, unfortunately, has a bad reputation for being a dangerous occupation. However, when safe practices are employed, many commercial fishing accidents can be prevented. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), understanding the risks and anticipating potential dangers can prevent fishing injuries and…
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