Are Burn Injuries Common on Board Vessels?

While ships are surrounded by water at sea, that does not mean they are impervious to fires, nor are maritime workers invulnerable to burns. Just last month, a flash fire occurred in a Virginia shipyard, which sent three workers to the hospital with severe burn injuries. Just a few months prior, a fire broke out…

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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,…

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The Danger of Vessel Fires and Smoke Inhalation

Recently, the U.S. Coast Guard had to rescue a crewmember from a boat near the Texas coast after he reportedly suffered from smoke inhalation. According to Professional Mariner, the Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston received a call on August 20 from the crew of the 50-foot towing vessel Kennedy Grace, which was towing the motor vessel…

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Barge Captain Sentenced to Prison for Fatal Accident

The Chicago Tribune reported recently that the captain of a boat that was pushing a barge that exploded in 2005 has been sentenced to jail in connection to a seaman’s death. According to the Tribune, the captain, Dennis M. Egan, 36, was found guilty of one count of negligent manslaughter of a seaman and one…

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Why Did a Cruise Ship Engine Room Catch on Fire?

Sadly, in December 2014, three workers died in an engine room fire aboard a cruise ship in the Caribbean. According to Professional Mariner, the fire aboard the Insignia killed two contractors and a crewmember. The incident occurred while the ship was in port at St. Lucia, in the process of a 10-day cruise that began…

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Why Do Fires Occur on Vessels?

Unfortunately, fires on vessels are not uncommon. Remember, fire incidents can occur on boats for a number of reasons, including: The failure to properly maintain and repair equipment Defective equipment A lack of safety procedures The failure to follow regulations regarding chemicals and flammable cargo Interestingly, according to Seaworthy, about 55 percent of boat fires occur…

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Chemical Exposure: Should I Hold My Employer Liable?

Chemical Exposure: Should I Hold My Employer Liable? Did you know that chemical exposure and burn injuries are not uncommon among maritime workers? Many vessels contain hazardous substances that can quickly build up and cause mishaps. Corrosive chemicals can cause serious burns, blindness and catastrophic injuries resulting in disfigurement. Often, accidents that involve these chemicals…

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Did a Lack of Employee Training Cause an On-Site Explosion?

Recently, a towing vessel anchored next to two Kirby barges at the Oil Recovery Company Gas Freeing Terminal (ORC), unaware that the barges were being cleared of residual diesel, sparked a fire that spread to the barges and finally resulted in explosions. Three sustained serious burn injuries. How Did This Explosion Happen at an ORC…

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Pain and Suffering Hard to Prove

Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly By Barbara Rabinovitz They are known as merchant seamen — the mates, engineers, captains and others who labor on the large commercial vessels that ply the world’s high seas. Rarely is there a female among them, but in the summer of 2005 there was a “woman merchant seaman,” as a Boston plaintiffs’…

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Pilot Enters Apology as Part of Settlement

John G. ‘Sean’ Rafter Admits He Should Have Landed His AirMed Helicopter Before It Ran Out Of Fuel And Crashed In Casco Bay, Killing Three. By Jason Wolfe Portland Press Herald January 30, 1996 The pilot of a rescue helicopter that crashed into Casco Bay more than two years ago admitted Monday that his mistakes…

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Helicopter Crash Lawsuit Settled

Helicopter Crash Lawsuit Settled By Staff The Boston Globe January 30, 1996 PORTLAND, Maine – The family of a burn victim who was killed in the crash of an air ambulance in Casco Bay more than two years ago reached a settlement with the pilot yesterday. The settlement was announced as jury selection was about…

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