Types of Maritime and Boating Accidents

Three of the types of maritime accidents reported each year are those involving unseaworthiness, commercial fishing accidents, and tug and barge accidents.

Accidents Involving Unseaworthiness

Federal maritime laws require that ship owners and employers provide a “seaworthy” vessel for its crew at all times. If a vessel is determined to be unseaworthy, and it is linked to a seaman’s injury (or wrongful death), that worker or his/her loved ones can receive compensation for factors such as lost income, pain and suffering, medical costs and more.

• For a ship to be deemed seaworthy, it must provide:
• A safe environment for all aspects of the ship’s voyage and cargo
• Adequate safety equipment and gear
• A sufficiently staffed, competent and adequately trained crew
• Equipment that is maintained, regularly inspected and functioning appropriately

Fishing Accidents

The commercial fishing industry is known for the danger it can present for workers. Serious personal injury cases are not uncommon, and the yearly rate of worker fatality is more than 30 times higher than the average U.S. employee, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

From serious brain injury to neck and back injuries, commercial fishermen can be faced with life-altering consequences from an at-work accident. Just a few of the causes of injury to workers in this field include:

• Falls overboard
• On-deck injuries
• Getting caught in equipment
• Fires/explosions on board

Fortunately, injured commercial fishermen are covered under U.S. maritime law, so they can seek damages from their employers in many cases. Negligence is often a cause of these types of accidents.

Tug and Barge Accidents

The navigation of today’s tug and barges takes great skill. Otherwise, grave accidents can occur.

Accidents on tug boats often happen because of factors such as: improper operation of the tug in relation to the barge it is towing, faulty tow wires or lines, problems with winch equipment, tripping and falling hazards on deck, getting on and off a towed barge, crew or captain error, understaffing, and the nature of the stiff stability of a tug boat in rough seas.

Likewise, barge accidents can happen because of a faulty vessel design, an unplanned separation of a tug and barge, crew error, and hazards that push crew members overboard and into the path of the barge.

Tug and barge accidents are also covered by federal maritime laws, like the Jones Act.

Learn more about maritime personal injury law by visiting the website of renowned Washington, D.C. maritime accident attorneys at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata, & Siegel P.C.