Posts by Latti & Anderson LLP
Be on Guard Against Sexual Assault as Sea Year Resumes
Last fall’s report from an anonymous cadet at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy once again raised the ugly specter of sexual assault at sea. Her public account of rape during her Sea Year experience prompted others to come forward and share stories of similar attacks. Sexual assault is more common than most industry insiders want…
Read MoreThe Dangers of Colder Water Temperatures
As the temperatures in the waters are decreasing with the cold weather arriving, it is important for boaters to prepare appropriately when going out. Even a temperature that doesn’t sound cold can be deadly for boaters who end up in the water. Because water that is 70 degrees or less can cause hypothermia, the U.S.…
Read MoreWomen’s Work: At Sea, On shore, At Home, In the Community Exhibit
On September 9th a new exhibit is opening up at the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center, called Women’s Work: At Sea, On shore, At Home, In the Community. The exhibit will shine a light on the many roles women play in commercial fishing communities. As Carolyn Latti, who was one of the few women maritime attorneys on…
Read MoreWhat Are The Maritime Laws Regarding Marijuana Use on Ships
Despite the trend toward legalization of marijuana in the states, the substance remains classified as an illegal drug under U.S. federal law. In fact, federal law places marijuana in the most dangerous drug category along with heroin and LSD. That means that if you’re on a boat in federally patrolled waters, you could be convicted…
Read MoreMassachusetts Lawyer Weekly Features Experienced Maritime Attorney Carolyn M. Latti
A recent ruling from a U.S. District Court determined that Massachusetts courts do not have personal jurisdiction over the Panama owner and Singapore operator of a container ship that damaged a MassPort terminal. Massachusetts Lawyer Weekly featured experienced maritime attorney Carolyn M. Latti’s take on the matter. “We see it in our cases on the…
Read MoreMore than a Job: Work and Community in New Bedford’s Fishing Industry Exhibit
If you have ever wondered what it’s like on a fishing vessel, now is the time to find out and learn about a scallop vessel. The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center has an exciting new exhibit that offers a replica of a scallop vessel. At the exhibit, you can stand in the wheelhouse, view all…
Read MoreWhat are the Most Common Accidents on Board Ships?
Unlike car accidents or slip and fall cases where attorneys see the same type of accident over and over, there is no “common” type of accident on board a ship. Each maritime accident is truly unique with an outcome based on a distinctive set of circumstances. However, in our years of practicing maritime law at…
Read MoreWe invite you to support New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center, Inc.
Latti & Anderson LLP has been a proud sponsor of the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center for many years. Like cultural organizations around the world, the Center was forced to close to the public for nearly four months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the support of generous donors, the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center…
Read MoreJudge rules SSA negligent in 2017 fast ferry crash
A federal court judge ruled in favor of passengers and workers who were injured when the IYANOUGH crashed into a 3,000-foot-long rock breakwater in Hyannisport. On behalf of its clients, Latti & Anderson LLP filed a motion in Federal Court seeking the Court to find that the Steamship Authority was negligent in the crash in…
Read MoreNew England Fishing Boat F/V EMMY ROSE Sinks
Almost a year to the date of the sinking of the New Bedford fishing vessel the F/V LEONARDO on November 24, 2019, the New England fishing community faced another tragedy with the sinking of the F/V EMMY ROSE, which is homeported in Portland, Maine and owned by Boat Aaron & Melissa, Inc. The crew on…
Read MoreBig Boats, Little Boats
Join Latti & Anderson LLP at the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center’s Big Boats, Little Boats event on Saturday, September 28th from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Attorneys from Latti & Anderson LLP will be handing out free coffee mugs, scallop knives and treats for scallopers, and will be available for any maritime law questions…
Read MoreThe Filing of the Petition of Limitation of Liability-What Does This Mean for the Families of Passengers and Crew of the Conception?
Yesterday, the owners of the dive boat CONCEPTION, Truth Aquatics Inc., filed a lawsuit in the Federal Court in Los Angeles to limit and possibly, eliminate, their liability in the fire and sinking of the CONCEPTION and the death of 33 passengers and crew, while the NTSB and investigators are searching diligently to discover answers…
Read MoreFourth of July Boating Safety Tips
Latti and Anderson LLP expects the Coast Guard to be busy this coming fourth of July based upon Memorial Day numbers. Just in the Mid-Atlantic region of New Jersey to North Carolina, there were 49 search and rescue cases reported in the unofficial summer recreational boating season kickoff. Latti and Anderson LLP, suggests you follow…
Read MoreNew Ruling Poses Challenges to Mariners Injured on the Job
In late June, the U.S. Supreme Court passed a ruling that will affect the claims of maritime workers in personal injury and wrongful death actions. While the new ruling has created a split in the law as to the type of damages people injured or who died on the water can recover depending whether they…
Read MoreCoast Guard Report Details Findings of Concern in M/V Iyanough Crash
Last week, the United States Coast Guard, “USCG”, issued “Findings of Concern” related to the M/V IYANOUGH crash of June 16, 2017. It took nearly 2 years to complete the USCG work of the M/V IYANOUGH crash that resulted in more than 15 injuries with the investigation closed on May 24, 2019. The Investigative Report…
Read MoreWheelhouse Technology from Sounding Leads to Satellites
New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center’s Wheelhouse Technology from Sounding Leads to Satellites Exhibit June 13, 2019 Latti and Anderson LLP, suggests you set your GPS for 38 Bethel Street New Bedford this Thursday, June 13 at 7 pm for the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center’s Wheelhouse Technology from Sounding Leads to Satellites Exhibit. This Exhibit…
Read MoreBoating Safety Checklist for New Englanders
New England Coast Guard Releases Boating Safety Checklist for Summer 2019 Latti and Anderson LLP joins the Coast Guard in welcoming the unofficial start to Summer this past weekend. The Memorial Day holiday is a special time of year for the long-suffering New Englanders who have endured cold temperatures, Nor’easters, Snow, Sleet, and just about…
Read MoreFree Vessel Stability Workshop for Commercial Fisherman
Free, All- Day Fishing Vessel Stability Workshop January 14, 2019 On January 14, 2019, the Fishing Partnership is having a FREE all-day Vessel Stability workshop for commercial fisherman called “Upright & Watertight.” The workshop “prepares attendees to respond to these situations by incorporating practical information with hands-on training. Attendees will review case studies of actual fishing…
Read MoreNew England Fishing Boat F/V Mistress Sinks
The New England fishing community faces a tragedy with the start of the New Year with the sinking of the F/V MISTRESS which is based out of Point Judith Rhode Island and its owner is Hope Fisheries, Inc. At approximately 1:30 am on January 1, 2019, the captain of the F/V MISTRESS issued a mayday…
Read MoreA 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…
Read MoreTRAGEDY STRIKES NEW ENGLAND FISHING COMMUNITY
Another tragedy has struck the local New England fishing community with the sinking of the F/V MISTY BLUE which is based in New Bedford but owned and operated by companies from Cape May, New Jersey of Atlantic Cape Fisheries, Inc. and F/V MISTY BLUE LLC. Currently, the USCG, local agencies and good Samaritans are searching…
Read MoreFERRY IYANOUGH CRASHES OFF OF HYANNIS
On Friday night, the MV IYANOUGH, a ferry, crashed into a jetty in the entrance to Hyannis Harbor at 9:30 pm. It is reported that between six to fifteen people were injured. On the MV IYANOUGH were 48 passengers and six crew members as the vessel was going from Nantucket to Hyannis. The MV IYANOUGH was…
Read MoreSafety Tips to Prevent and Fight Fishing Boat Fires
One of the last places you want to be when a fire breaks out is confined to a boat. You could become trapped, have to abandon ship or be the victim of an explosion if the fire reaches your vessel’s fuel supply. Therefore, for anyone who spends much time on the water, whether for business…
Read MoreDid Duck Boat Safety Issues Lead to the Boston Super Tours Shutdown?
The list of duck boat companies in Boston just got a little bit shorter. According to Boston magazine, Boston Super Tours closed its doors for good on October 30th. Boston Super Tours is the company behind Upper Deck Trolley Tours as well as Super Duck Tours, which was a competitor of Boston Duck Tours. However,…
Read MoreWill Refurbishing Dams and Seawalls Help Improve Boating Safety?
In early November, the state of Massachusetts introduced a program that will provide around $10 million in funding to refurbish seawalls and dams to improve boating safety. It is hoped that this funding will address the deterioration of coastal infrastructure that is critical to the safety of the region. Much of the funding, around $7.7…
Read MoreDo Commercial Fishermen Need More Safety Training?
Last week, New Bedford hosted a pair of boating safety training events for commercial fishermen, according to South Coast Today. The training sessions took place at the School for Marine Science and Technology at UMass Dartmouth on November 17 from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm and November 18 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. The…
Read MoreAre Tugboat Accidents Common?
Tugboats are one of the most important and busiest vessels in the maritime industry. They can be separated into three types, each with their own function: Oceangoing tugs Harbor tugboats River tugboats Most are used to help ships into and out of the water. Additionally, they come to the rescue of ships, the fight fires…
Read MoreShould There Be a Law Requiring Workers to Wear Lifejackets on Commercial Fishing Boats
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) in the UK published separate reports on three commercial fishing accidents. In all cases, not one of the nine victims were wearing a lifejacket when they drowned. Per the report, at least four of these fishermen could have been saved if they had been wearing a lifejacket when they…
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