Connecticut Vessel Sinking Results in No Injuries, But One Dies in North Carolina Sinking

The Hartford Courant reported that a 63-foot boat sank in Long Island Sound off of Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford, Connecticut, on June 22. Goshen Fire Department Chief Donald Chapman Jr. told the Courant that the vessel struck something the water about a quarter mile off shore and began taking on water. Fortunately, other boaters rescued the people on board and no injuries were reported.

Passengers and crewmembers are rarely so lucky in ship sinking cases. Last month, WSOC-TV reported that 53-year-old Herbert James drowned while holding on to a boat that filled up with water and sank in Lake Norman, North Carolina. A good Samaritan pulled James’ 31-year-old son, Quinton, and his friend, 32-year-old Daniel Brown, to safety. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission officers told WSOC that several life jackets were found on the boat when they pulled it out of the water, but none of the men onboard had been wearing one. They also said that the men may a plug that keeps water out of the boat was missing and the men may have forgotten to put it in place before setting off into the water

Collisions with another vessel, allisions with a stationary object both causing damage to the hull of the vessel to failure to repair leaks in leaks in the stuffing box, repair hoses and pumps are some  causes of ship sinkings, but there are several other preventable causes that include the lack of stability of the vessel, defective equipment that cause the vessel to be in an unseaworthy condition. Sinkings can cause devastating maritime injuries or wrongful death, and injured workers or their families can be entitled to compensation for a vessel owner or operator’s negligence. Use the form on this page to have our Jones Act lawyers review your case or contact our firm today at (800) 392-6072 to schedule a free consultation.

Latti & Anderson LLP – Jones Act attorneys