Posts by Latti Associates LLC
Bulker Secured After Causing Millions in Damages
On April 6th, A Greek bulker owned by the Bariba Group broke free from its moorings and drifted uncontrolled across the Mississippi River. The Privocean, an 81,434 dwt bulker, destroyed parts of the dock it was moored at, spilled about 10 barrels of oil into the river, and crushed a tug boat against a tanker.…
Read MoreCrewmembers Rescued After Tugboat Capsizes
According to Professional Mariner, two men had to be rescued from a capsized tugboat in Louisiana’s Lake Pontchartrain last December. The news outlet reported that the U.S. Coast Guard in New Orleans identified the 48-foot vessel in distress as the M/V Bella. The operator of the tugboat, K&L Marine Service LLC, told the news outlet…
Read More20-Year-Old Dies in Towboat Accident
Tragically, last October, a 20-year-old crewmember aboard a towboat fell into the Mississippi River. His body was recovered about two weeks later on the Illinois side of the waterway. According to Professional Mariner, the victim fell from the Charlie G into the upper Mississippi River on October 8, near Missouri. He allegedly fell sometime after…
Read MoreWhy Do Whale Watching Accidents Occur?
Sadly, last Wednesday, eight people were taken to a hospital after waves slammed into the side of a whale watching boat off the coast of Plymouth, Massachusetts. According to WCVB-TV, the boat encountered a rogue wave and ambulances were waiting for passengers when they returned to shore. There were 112 people aboard the Captain John…
Read MoreAvoid Memorial Day Drunk Boating
If you plan to enjoy recreational activities this Memorial Day weekend, make sure that you avoid reckless behavior such as drunk boating. Alcohol affects a person’s balance, judgment and reaction time—this is a dangerous mix when someone is operating a boat. Many fatal recreational boating accidents are the result of intoxicated operators—in fact, according to…
Read MoreConstruction Equipment Tips Over on Maine Ferry
Last December, the ro-ro ferry Island Transporter reportedly battled through rough weather off the Maine coast as it was transporting construction equipment, including a cement and boom truck, which eventually overturned on the vessel. According to Professional Mariner, a boom truck on the ferry slid forward about 15 minutes into the voyage, eventually tipping over…
Read MoreCrewman Lost at Sea After Hull Accident
According to Professional Mariner, a crewmember painting the side of a bulk carrier fell into the Gulf of Mexico last December off the Texas coast and investigators were not able to locate his body. The news source reported that the accident alongside the CF Crystal, near the Texas coast, while the man was painting the…
Read MoreMay 22 is National Maritime Day
National Maritime Day is May 22, aimed at recognizing the benefits of the maritime industry. The holiday is observed on the same date each year because it is the day that the steamship Savannah set sail from Georgia on the first ever transoceanic voyage under steam power in 1819. The US Congress officially created the…
Read MoreCargo Ship Crashes as Master and Pilot Argue
In an unusual incident, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has determined that a disagreement between a master and pilot over speed led to a cargo ship striking a St. Lawrence Seaway lock in 2013. According to Professional Mariner, the dispute aboard the M/V Claude A. Desgagnes resulted in the boat not slowing down…
Read MoreMass. Ferry Gets Stuck Twice at Sea in One Month Period
According to Professional Mariner, a high-speed catamaran ferry became stranded twice at sea last summer, with one incident requiring employees and passengers to stay on the vessel overnight. The news outlet reported that Boston Harbor Cruises operates the Cetacea, the vessel involved in the incidents, and that the U.S. Coast Guard is still investigating why…
Read MoreAlaska Longshoreman Dies in Equipment Accident
According to Alaska Dispatch News, a longshoreman working at the Port of Anchorage died in March after he was pinned between two pieces of equipment. The news source reported that the man was loading military equipment between rail cars on a Totem Ocean Trailer Express (TOTE) ship when he got “pinched” on March 13. The…
Read MoreWill New Training Regulations Prevent Deaths and Injuries at Sea?
According to Professional Mariner, new regulations require that ships sailing internationally must provide crewmembers with enclosed space drills every two months. The news outlet reported that vessels operating under Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) must now participate in training programs about the dangers of enclosed spaces to prevent injury and death incidents. The International…
Read MoreWhy 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…
Read MoreWhy Do Grounding Incidents Occur?
In previous blogs, we have discussed how grounding incidents occur far too frequently on cargo ships, passenger vessels, container ships, tankers and other varieties of vessels. Grounding incidents, which can involve a vessel’s hull scraping through land beds, occur for a number of reasons including negligence on behalf of an operator and/or employee aboard a…
Read MoreWhat Items Do Damage Control Kits Contain?
Imagine working on a fishing vessel when the bilge alarms begin to sound—now imagine the skipper telling you that the boat is taking on water. It is a scary situation to think about, but not terribly uncommon. This is why you can buy damage-control kits at marine supply stores and/or assemble them yourself. The kits…
Read MoreWhy Do Tug and Barge Accidents Occur?
As many barges are not self-propelled and need to be towed by tugboats, accidents involving them can be quite violent. Many barges carry heavy goods, meaning the weight involved in a crash lead to catastrophic damages for other vessels. One example of a barge accident that occurred recently involved a pair being towed by the…
Read MoreWhy Do Norovirus Outbreaks Occur on Cruise Ships?
Recently, it was reported that Celebrity Cruise’s Infinity returned to San Diego after 106 passengers aboard the vessel, including six crewmembers, came down with a norovirus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is investigating the outbreak, said that it has collected stool samples from passengers to determine how the outbreak occurred. Those who…
Read MoreCan the Coast Guard Suspend an Operator’s License?
Can the Coast Guard Suspend an Operator’s License? In a blog post last month, we explained how overcrowding on ferries and the operation of vessels in poor conditions can lead to safety issues. It should be noted that many of the same rules and regulations that apply to ferries also pertain to other vessels such…
Read MoreDrunk Boating Accidents: How Can an Attorney Help?
We have brought up several times in previous blogs the dangers of drunken recreational boating. Sadly, alcohol use is a factor in almost a third of all recreational boating fatalities in the U.S., according to the U.S. Coast Guard. With this in mind, a former state delegate in Maryland who was convicted of drunken boating…
Read MoreCan an Attorney Help an Injured Shipyard Worker?
Can an Attorney Help an Injured Shipyard Worker? Updating a blog post we brought you last Friday, the co-worker of a man killed in a Colonna’s Shipyard accident in Virginia says the victim had extensive experience using the construction equipment involved in his death. On March 30, rescue crews found 58-year-old Donald R. Thomas, of…
Read MoreTugboat Hits Bridge, Barges Break Free
We have been blogging a lot recently about towboat accidents as a way to raise awareness that these vessels are often involved in mishaps. Remember, even though tugboats may have a smaller size and build than other vessels, unsafe working conditions can lead to serious accidents. Tugboat crashes can result from equipment malfunctions, electrical complications…
Read MoreShould I Seek Legal Advice Following a Towboat Death?
Sadly, last week, the U.S. Coast Guard suspended the search for a missing towboat deckhand who reportedly fell overboard from a vessel into the Mississippi River. According to Professional Mariner, the man went missing near Osceola, Arkansas, on April 7. He allegedly fell overboard from the Joe Ellis into the Mississippi River at the Mid…
Read MoreDo Injured Shipyard Workers Have Legal Rights?
Are you shipyard, harbor, longshore or dockworker? If you are, then you may understand that your job can be dangerous as accidents occur regularly among maritime workers on land in the U.S. You should know that because of this, you might have protections under the Longshore Act or other laws, if you are injured on…
Read MoreFlorida Fisherman Injured When Boat Runs Aground
Sadly, four commercial fishermen were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard last month when their 63-foot boat ran aground near Fort Lauderdale Beach. According to media reports, the Joyce Lynn II was heading back after a crabbing expedition when it ran aground on submerged reef, north of Port Everglades, in Florida. According to reports, as…
Read MoreClub Promoter Injured in Miami Boating Accident
Club Promoter Injured in Miami Boating Accident Last week, we discussed how recreational boating accidents can occur when we blogged about a capsizing incident that led to the death of a man in Georgia. Remember, boating accidents can occur for a number of reasons including overcrowding and collisions with other vessels, as well as collisions…
Read MoreLatti and Anderson Speaking at Education Seminar
The maritime attorneys, Carolyn Latti and David Anderson, of Latti Associates, are happy to announce that they will be speaking at the 2015 Education Seminar for the Mariners Club of Massachusetts on Thursday, April 2, 2015. Registration for the seminar will begin at 9 a.m. and attorneys David Anderson and Carolyn Latti are expected to…
Read MoreHow Dangerous are Tugboat Accidents?
Earlier this month, we discussed how some people assume that tugboats are safer than other vessels due to their smaller size and build. However, poor working conditions aboard tugboats can still lead to serious accidents. Remember, a vessel’s unseaworthiness can lead to collisions, equipment malfunctions, electrical complications and fires, in addition to capsizing and sinking…
Read MoreIs the Jones Act Still Being Debated?
Updating a series of blog posts we brought you recently, the Jones Act still appears to be under fire from lawmakers who would like to see the law repealed or want exemptions made to it. According to the Associated Press, Hawaiian lawmakers have asked that the state be made exempt from portions of the Jones…
Read MoreWhy Do Recreational Boats Capsize?
When it comes to recreational boating accidents, capsizing incidents are not uncommon. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, in 2013, there were an estimated 250 capsizing events reported to the agency involving recreational boats, resulting in about 175 deaths and more than 330 injuries. Unfortunately, capsizing incidents can occur for a number of reasons, including…
Read MoreWhy 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…
Read MoreWhy Should I Have a Fatal Maritime Accident Investigated?
If your loved one is killed in a maritime accident, it may be in your best interest to speak to an attorney familiar with this particular practice of law. Keep in mind, in some instances, following a fatal accident, there will be questions surrounding liability. Often, various agencies are tasked with investigating an accident. It…
Read MoreNew York Harbor Crash Remains Controversial
A New York Harbor accident that occurred last year remains controversial, as investigators are not in a complete agreement about what happened. Updating the story we brought you last fall, the U.S. Coast Guard has determined that rough seas resulted in a New York Harbor pilot boat smashing into the side of a ship. Although…
Read MoreHow Important Are Cargo Load Limits?
Did you know that there are cargo load limits for vessels like ferries? Remember, cargo can include the number of passengers onboard a vessel. Unfortunately, some deadly maritime accidents occurring worldwide recently have highlighted how important these load limits are. Remember, each vessel is built with specific licensed load limits. In addition to this, operators…
Read MoreAre There Noise Regulations for Ship Machinery?
Are There Noise Regulations for Ship Machinery? Did you know that there are regulations in place to protect mariners from ships making excessive noise? These regulations are designed to save maritime workers from injuries that could occur like hearing loss. Last July, under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), a…
Read MoreWhy Would a Recreational Boat Strike Land?
If you follow trends in recreational boating, recently there have been a number of high profile cases where vessels have struck land or properties. Remember, recreational boats can run aground for a number of reasons, including: Drunk boating Speeding or reckless operation Poor weather Inexperienced operators Defective equipment These are just a few reasons why a…
Read MoreWhat Are Some Common Tugboat Accident Injuries?
Did you know that a tugboat accident could lead to serious personal injuries? Many people are unaware of the complexities of the operation of a tug boat and often think their smaller size leads to a safer work environment. However, poor working conditions on a tug can lead to claims of negligence and unseaworthiness. Many…
Read MoreHow Can I Avoid Overcrowding a Ferry Stairwell?
Last fall, in an attempt to reduce injuries associated with ferry accidents, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) began warning vessel operators that they needed to do more to keep passengers from packing into stairwells during safety maneuvers. The agency issued an alert following the January 2013 Seastreak Wall Street accident in New York. In…
Read MoreWinter Weather Keeping Coast Guard Busy
Updating a blog post we brought you last week, the U.S. Coast Guard is using the brutal winter weather as a training opportunity for guardsmen in the north. According to WSTM-TV, over the past couple of weeks, guardsmen working out of the Oswego Coast Guard station in New York have been training in ice and…
Read MoreAre There Regulations to Prevent Commercial Fishermen Falls?
Are There Regulations to Prevent Commercial Fishermen Falls? Did you know that OSHA has regulations in place to help prevent fall accidents? Employees can sustain falls on boats, including workers doing the maintenance, cleaning, repair, alteration and/or overhaul of a vessel. These incidents can occur at sea, dockside or in a shipyard. According to OSHA,…
Read MoreCoast Guard Alert Compilation Reveals 18 Years of Safety Concerns
Coast Guard Alert Compilation Reveals 18 Years of Safety Concerns Have you ever wondered why the U.S. Coast Guard releases safety alerts? Recently, the Coast Guard compiled a list of all of the alerts it issued between 1996 and 2014, and browsing through the catalog is quite interesting. For example, a safety alert issued in…
Read MoreWinter Weather Leads to Coast Guard Rescues
As winter weather brutalizes the eastern coast of the United States, you may see an increase in the number of Coast Guard rescues performed. Recently, the Weather Channel reported that hurricane like winds and cold temperatures resulted in the rescue of an Australian family that was stranded at sea after Winter Storm Neptune ripped their…
Read MoreLatti & Anderson Secures $8 Million Burn Injury Settlement
The attorneys at Latti Associates LLC are proud to announce that they have successfully obtained an $8 million settlement for a severely burned marine engineer’s family. The case involved an engineer working on a tugboat that was purchased by a defendant, which had undergone a major overhaul including complete rebuild of the vessel’s main diesel…
Read MoreWhy is the Jones Act Important?
In our blogs recently, we have been discussing how Senator John McCain (R-AZ) has proposed an amendment that could repeal the Jones Act. While McCain’s proposal has stalled and its discussion has been rescheduled, it has brought up debate about the importance of the Jones Act. Recently, there have been several editorials and opinion pieces…
Read MoreHow Do Hand Injuries Affect Seamen?
While most people think of hand injuries as minor issues, for fisherman and seamen, an injury to any of the bones in a hand could have serious consequences, making it impossible for him or her to perform a job in the future. Common hand injuries sustained at sea can include finger amputations, severed tendons, deep lacerations,…
Read MoreChemical 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…
Read MoreCan Longshoremen File Third Party Claims?
Can Longshoremen File Third Party Claims? Did you know that longshoremen are entitled to damages when they are injured on the job? Aside from federal laws that protect dockworkers, there are ways that longshoremen can file third-party lawsuits following an injury accident. The laws can be confusing when it comes to obtaining money following a…
Read MoreCan Crabbers Sue Over Maritime Injuries?
Can Crabbers Sue Over Maritime Injuries? Are you a commercial fisherman or crabber? If you are, you should know that there are various laws that protect you in the event of a maritime injury. These laws protect all commercial anglers, regardless of whether they are captains, mates, deck bosses, engineers, cooks or deck hands. Keep…
Read MoreCould Oil Prices Cause More Tanker Accidents?
Could Oil Prices Cause More Tanker Accidents? Are you enjoying the low price of gasoline? While the savings are benefiting drivers, they may end up playing a role in shipping accidents internationally. Last month, Skuld, a Norwegian insurer, announced that the dip in oil prices could lead to a rise in crude shipping activities and…
Read MoreJones Act Safe for Now
Last week, we reported in our blog that Senator John McCain (R-AZ) was proposing an amendment that could repeal the Jones Act. However, after our post was published, some positive news came out of Washington, as the amendment was never considered for debate when the bill it was attached to came up for discussion in…
Read MoreBosun or Boatswain Job Duties
Bosun or Boatswain Job Duties The profession of bosun or boatswain is an physically demanding merchant seamen position. A bosun or boatswain oversees and is in charge of the rigging, anchoring, cables, etc. He/she is responsible for all the ship’s hull and all of its components. The bosun controls and oversees the work of the other…
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