Archive for 2018
A Note from Latti and Anderson LLP
Latti and Anderson LLP would like to take a moment to wish you and your family health and happiness this holiday season. We continue to work for the maritime community in assisting with injuries or death resulting from negligence and unseaworthiness of vessels. This year, Latti & Anderson LLP helped a New Bedford scallop fisherman…
Read MoreFive Winter Boating Safety Tips You Need to Know
Winter is finally here, which means the season for water recreation is over. However, die-hard boaters and mariners often stay out on the water all year. This makes it important for these hobbyists to practice cold weather safety measures to ensure that they will make it home safe. Whether you are new to winter boating…
Read MoreWhat Lessons Did the 2017 NTSB Maritime Accident Report Teach Us?
Each year, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) puts together a report called Safer Seas Digest. This publication is aimed at helping mariners and boat owners prevent future accidents. It details the accident investigations completed that year and the lessons learned from those incidents. Here are some of the lessons we learned from this year’s…
Read MoreWhat Options Are Available to Longshoremen Who are Injured on the Docks?
The MV ANSAC Splendor was being moved to another loading hatch at the Port of Longview when something went wrong. A maritime grade line snapped and recoiled into the ship and toward the dock. The line hit at least two men and injured two others. Though one of the men who was hit went to…
Read MoreHas the Sinking of El Faro Changed Maritime Law?
On October 1, 2015, the cargo vessel El Faro disappeared on its way to San Juan, Puerto Rico. According to the Coast Guard, the vessel sailed too close to Hurricane Joaquin and sank, taking the lives of all 33 people on board. Now, Congress is trying to prevent similar tragedies from happening. Will this new…
Read MoreCould Maritime Law Help the Victims of the F/V Captain Billy Haver Attack?
When it comes to the rights of seamen and fishermen, maritime law and the Jones Act provide many protections. These provisions can even help protect those who are injured by fellow crew members while working over open water. Now, the crew of a fishing vessel and their families may have to use these laws due…
Read MoreHere’s Why Northeast Boaters Are Being Asked to Label and Secure Their Paddlecraft
The United States Coast Guard is asking Boston residents to carefully label their canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards with their names and phone numbers. This requirement comes after a huge increase of cases this summer that involved unmanned and floating paddlecraft that were adrift and seemingly abandoned. Why Do Boston Residents Need to Label and…
Read MoreWhat Boating Safety Concerns Are the Coast Guard and Connecticut River Task Force Addressing?
One of Massachusetts’ busiest waterways is the state’s portion of the Connecticut River. Because of this, the United States Coast Guard is partnering with the Connecticut River Task Force in order to address recreational boating safety boardings for this summer. This safety push is led by the Coast Guard Sector Boston law enforcement and other…
Read MoreFatal Accidents Call Safety of Duck Boat Tours into Question
After the fatal duck boat accident in Missouri that killed 17 passengers, the importance of safety on these boats has been at the forefront of conversation. The Missouri accident involved bad weather and inaccessible life jackets. Boston duck boat companies claim that they have changed their safety regulations recently, and that drivers are receiving special…
Read MoreHow Did the United States Coast Guard Rescue 49 People From This Lost Yacht?
The Coast Guard recently discovered a yacht carrying 49 people on Lake Michigan without a properly functioning navigation system. The 56-foot motor boat named Serenity was found by the Coast Guard with the assistance of a passenger who was worried the operator had been driving disoriented in the heavy fog near the Chicago Harbor. This…
Read MoreWhy Did the United States Coast Guard Terminate This Yacht Voyage?
One of the main reasons that there are various boating accidents during the summer is because one or both of the vessels involved in the accident was unsafe. All recreational boats are required to have updated safety codes on board in order to protect their passengers. Unfortunately, some boating trips are terminated by the United…
Read MoreUpdates on M/V IYANOUGH Crash Lawsuit Regarding the Claimants’ Answer to the Petition
In June 2017, a high-speed passenger ferry named the M/V IYANOUGH crashed into a jetty in Hyannis, Massachusetts. Initially, it was reported that fifteen people suffered injuries. The ferry is owned and operated by the Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard and the Nantucket Steamship Authority. The owner of the ferry filed a lawsuit, to eliminate its…
Read MoreWhat Are the New Inspection Agreements That Vessel Operators Must Now Agree to?
The U.S. Coast Guard has recently issued a letter regarding the new Subchapter M for vessel inspections and new inspection agreements. They clearly state that “on July 20, 2018, vessel owners and operators will be responsible for ensuring that their vessels comply with the provisions of 46 CFR Subchapter M…vessels are required to obtain a…
Read MoreWhat Did the Coast Guard Find in Last Year’s Statistics Report for Recreational Boating?
On May 29, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) released a report that highlights statistics on recreational boating injuries and fatalities in 2017. Some of the statistics that were outlined in the report are alarming. What Did the Statistics Show About Boating Injuries and Fatalities? The statistics in the report showed some positive improvements in…
Read MoreHow Should I Prepare for This Year’s Hurricane Season?
Each year, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) reminds the public how to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season. The Atlantic Ocean hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 30 and has its peak between mid-August and late October. You should have a hurricane preparedness plan in place for hurricane season. The USCG recommends…
Read MoreHow to Protect Yourself from Cold-Water Exposure
Recreational water activities are particularly popular during the summer months, including paddle boarding, parasailing, kayaking and waterskiing. Unfortunately, warm weather during the summer doesn’t always mean there will be warm water. Cold-water immersion can be deadly. Are you planning to enjoy recreational water activities this summer? The United States Coast Guard (USCG) recommends taking the…
Read MoreWho Is Liable If I’m Injured on a Cruise Ship?
If you are a passenger on a cruise ship and get injured, there will be a few things you will have to prove in order to determine liability. The number one thing you will have to confirm in court is that the cruise ship operator was negligent in some way. This is the main way…
Read MoreHow Does Maintenance and Cure Relate to My Maritime Injury?
If you are a merchant seaman or commercial fisherman, you may have heard of the phrase maintenance and cure in relation to work injuries. Maintenance and cure are special benefits that injured maritime workers can receive from an employer during their recovery process. Regardless of proving liability for your injuries, you as an injured seaman…
Read MoreWhat is the Zone of Danger Test?
In Sawyer Brothers, Inc. et al v. Island Transporter, et al, , a maritime passenger case, the First Circuit adopted the zone of danger test used by other courts for a negligent infliction of emotion distress claim. In this case, Sawyer Brothers, Inc. hired Island Transporter, LLC to ferry three of its construction vehicles and…
Read MoreHow Do I Get Licensed to Drive a Recreational Boat in Massachusetts?
New Englanders love to rent and buy boats in order to enjoy their weekends or vacations on the freshwater rivers and lakes. As the weather gets warmer, you and your family might be interested in buying a boat to use near the Boston harbors. It’s important to know the process behind buying a boat and…
Read MoreOwners of the M/V IYANOUGH file Petition for Limitation of Liability
Last June, a high-speed passenger ferry crashed into a jetty in Hyannis, Massachusetts that left fifteen people injured. The ferry, named the M/V IYANOUGH and operated by the Wood’s Hole, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority, crashed into the jetty a few miles from the dock. Due to heavy winds and rough seas, the evacuation…
Read MoreCoast Guard Aircrew Rescues Four People Off of Martha’s Vineyard
A Coast Guard aircrew rescued a group of four people from a sinking fishing vessel Wednesday night near Martha’s Vineyard. The fishing vessel, named F/V SEA STAR, radioed the Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England at 6:20 p.m. that night. They reported that their vessel was sinking and taking on water, and that they were…
Read MoreClient Testimonial – Chris Curtis
Meet Latti & Anderson, LLP client, Chris Curtis. Our maritime injury attorneys represented Chris in a claim for an eye injury. We were able to settle this case for him out of court. In this video, watch Chris discuss his experience working with our law firm and explain why he would recommend us to other…
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