The recent sinking of the commercial fishing vessel Tremont calls attention to some key issues mariners need to remain aware of. Tremont apparently collided with a container vessel, MSC Rita. off the coast of Virginia. The Coast Guard and two good Samaritans responded to the 2 a.m. distress call and rescued all crew members before the fishing vessel sank.
Determining Who is Responsible
Although the causes of the collision and sinking are still under investigation, past experience shows that negligence in one or more areas usually contributes to the cause of this type of collision. When someone fails to maintain or check equipment, that failure can lead to a disastrous accident. If the wheelhouse isn’t manned or crew neglect duties or fail to follow rules of the road, the vessel can quickly end up in peril. Captains and others in authority positions are responsible for actions—or lack of proper actions—by those they are supposed to supervise.
When a 110 foot fishing vessel like Tremont has a run in with a 1000 foot container ship, it is not hard to imagine the danger to the crew of the smaller vessel. In this particular instance, no one has yet reported serious injuries. But if rescuers had not been able to respond so promptly, the results could have been very different.
A Maritime Attorney Can Help when Negligence Causes Harm
When you suffer injuries at sea that could have been prevented if someone had only behaved responsibly, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your pain, suffering, and other losses. Talk to an experienced maritime lawyer at Latti Associates LLC to learn more about your options.
