Where there is manual work, there is the risk of physical injury. This risk multiplies when the comfort of land is taken away.

Maritime accidents come in many sizes and levels of severity. A recent article from Marine Insight highlights ten common maritime accidents.

Unfortunately, many of the flowing accidents happen due to the negligent mistakes of others. The effects of these incidents can cause physical and emotional stress to workers as well as the marine ecosystems around them. [Read more…]

The merchant seaman crew members of a container ship that was at the center of a piracy drama off Somalia in April 2009 are suing the boat owners for nearly fifty million dollars, alleging that their captain ignored warnings to sail clear of pirate-infested waters in and around Cape Horn off of Africa.

The standoff and daring rescue, ordered by President Barack Obama, are to be depicted in a film starring Tom Hanks as Captain Phillips, who offered himself as a hostage to the pirates in exchange for the freedom of his crew and the container ship.

While Captain Phillips was hailed as a hero, his former crew members contend that his actions put them in grave danger when the ship sailed within about 250 miles of the African coast despite international warnings to stay at least 600 miles offshore because of the threat of piracy. [Read more…]

A former Jones Act Seaman who was hurt when he fell from a gangway in New York Harbor seven years ago has settled his lawsuit against New York City, the vessel owner, for $1.2 million.

The former deckhand, now 35, dropped 5 feet when the gangway gave away as the ferryboat Andrew J. Barberi was being moved from its berth. The seaman suffered back injuries in the fall, later required surgery and remains on Social Security disability.

“It’s been a rough couple of years,” the plaintiff said last week in a telephone interview. “We’re just looking to move forward and get on with our lives.”  [Read more…]