What is the Leading Cause of Boating Accidents?

Despite common misconceptions, most boating accidents have nothing to do with hazardous sea conditions or bad weather. More often than not, they occur on inland waters during the day when visibility and weather are considered good. The U.S. Coast Guard reported 4,158 boating accidents in 2015. Of those, 626 people died in these accidents and…

Read More

Are Cruise Ship Workers Protected by Maritime Law?

Last week, we wrote about how a cruise ship employee died during a safety drill on the Harmony of the Seas, which is the world’s largest cruise ship. At the time, the ship was docked in France. Due to the fact the accident took place in another country, some may be confused about what the…

Read More

What is the Leading Cause of Death for Tugboat Workers?

Last year, six towing industry workers died in tugboat accidents, three of which died by falling overboard. While there has been a steady decrease in the number of maritime accidents over the last 20 years, overboard accidents are still the leading cause of maritime industry deaths. Specifically, falling overboard accounts for at least 50 percent…

Read More

Are Safety Drills Causing Maritime Accidents?

Earlier this month, a seafarer died and four were injured in a maritime accident on the Harmony of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world that just sailed its inaugural voyage this year. Specifically, a lifeboat fell 30 feet from its davit and into the water during a ship safety drill. Of the…

Read More

Am I Protected Under the Defense Base Act After a Maritime Accident?

When any other worker is injured on land, they typically file for workers’ compensation. When maritime workers are injured in U.S. navigable waters, they are protected under the Jones Act. When a maritime worker is injured on land, they are typically protected under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, or Longshore Act for short.…

Read More

What is the “Safer Seas Digest” and How Can It Help You Offshore?

Last month, we wrote a blog on the top three lessons the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) had learned from its annual report on maritime accidents. The 72-page report looked at 29 major maritime accidents. Since then, the NTSB has released its annual “Safer Seas Digest,” which crewmembers can use in training and safety…

Read More

Is This Shipping Port Putting Dock Workers at Risk?

A dock worker was seriously injured at Port Elizabeth in New Jersey. The worker’s tractor trailer, which is used to move shipping containers, was lifted six feet off of the dock by a shipping crane. The crane operator lifted the container while the vehicle was still attached and dropped the entire load to the ground.…

Read More

How Did This Commercial Fisherman Sustain Burn Injuries at Sea?

A commercial fishing crew accidentally pulled up live, unexploded artillery while clamming, which caused the destruction of 700 cases of chowder and one fishermen to sustain second-degree burns. While the authorities were unable to determine what the ordnance was, the fisherman’s burns were consistent with mustard agent exposure. Mustard gas can cause skin blisters, blindness,…

Read More