Maritime Injury Law Blog

Published on: March 18, 2025

Maritime Safety Standards: Every Worker Should Be Safe

When deckhand Carlos slipped and fell during a routine operation in rough seas, he fractured his arm and was unable to work for months. An investigation revealed inadequate safety protocols, insufficient training, and a lack of clear communication had contributed to the accident. Had the vessel implemented effective training, emphasized clear safety communication, and ensured crew engagement in safety planning, Carlos’s injury might have been prevented.

Owners, workers, families, and communities all want workers to be safe at sea. Yet cultivating a true culture of maritime safety doesn’t happen overnight. It requires a structured effort beginning at the organization’s highest levels then filtering down the chain of command.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) clearly defines an effective safety culture as one where safety is prioritized and managed as meticulously as any other crucial business function. Achieving a culture of safety requires following best practices for safety across the maritime industry.

Published on: March 11, 2025

How to Choose the Right Maritime Injury Lawyer

by Joseph Stacey

Selecting the right maritime injury lawyer requires careful consideration and research. Prioritizing expertise, experience, effective communication, and transparency will significantly enhance the likelihood of obtaining fair compensation and justice for your injuries. Your choice of attorney can make all the difference in achieving a successful resolution to your maritime injury claim.

Specialized Maritime Law Experience

The first and most crucial factor is choosing a lawyer who specializes in maritime or admiralty law. Maritime injury cases are governed by unique federal laws like the Jones Act, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, and principles like Maintenance and Cure. An attorney experienced in these complex statutes can better evaluate your situation, navigate jurisdictional nuances, and effectively advocate for your rights.

Published on: March 3, 2025

Imposter Hijacks $8 Million Fishing Vessel with Crew Aboard

by Nigel Stacey

In a highly unusual maritime theft, an imposter successfully took control of an 80-foot commercial fishing vessel in Westport, Washington while the crew was still aboard.

According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Police, the imposter hijacked the F/V JAMIE MARIE, an $8 million groundfish vessel, and steered it into the Grays Harbor bar before the crew realized something was very wrong.

WDFW Sergeant Alexander, who was on patrol at the time, overheard a radio call about a “vehicle theft” in progress. However, the stolen vehicle in question wasn’t a car or motorcycle, but a full-scale fishing vessel.

Published on: February 25, 2025

Alaska Governor Dunleavy Proposes Legalizing Finfish Farming

by Nigel Stacey

Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy has introduced a bill that could mark a significant shift in the state’s approach to aquaculture by legalizing finfish farming in controlled environments. The proposed legislation, House Bill 111 (HB 111), would authorize closed-system finfish farms, ending Alaska’s longstanding ban on the practice.

Currently, Alaska prohibits all finfish farming except for private nonprofit salmon hatcheries, many of which are operated by Indigenous communities to support wild salmon populations. This restriction was enacted in 1990 to safeguard the state’s wild fish stocks from risks such as disease, pollution, and genetic interbreeding with escaped farmed fish.

In a statement accompanying the bill’s introduction, Governor Dunleavy framed the initiative as part of a broader effort to enhance Alaska’s food security. “Alaska can join other regions of the world by raising fish that can be sold and consumed here in Alaska and be available for export,” he said. “This legislation will yield new jobs, economic growth, and a new food source for all Alaskans.”

Published on: February 25, 2025

Genetic Testing Uncovers High Infection Rates in Commercially Vital Bering Sea Crabs

by Nigel Stacey

A recent study using advanced genetic testing has revealed alarmingly high infection rates of bitter crab disease in Tanner and snow crabs, two commercially important species in the Bering Sea. Scientists estimate that up to 42 percent of Tanner crabs and 36 percent of snow crabs were infected during the study period, considerably higher than previous estimates.

Bitter crab disease, caused by microscopic parasites, has been shown to be lethal in a lab setting. Traditional detection methods which relied on visual observations and blood sample analysis, suggested infection rates of less than 10 percent. However, the more sensitive genetic methods used in this study show a drastically different situation.

“That is a nearly four-fold increase in the annual prevalence levels previously detected,” said Erin Fedewa, a fisheries biologist at NOAA’s Alaska Fisheries Science Center.

Published on: February 17, 2025

King Crab Fishery in Southeast Alaska Approved

by Nigel Stacey

In a significant policy shift, the Alaska Board of Fisheries has approved a proposal to permit a limited commercial harvest of red king crabs in Southeast Alaska. This decision, approved during the board’s Southeast and Yakutat Finfish and Shellfish meeting in Ketchikan from January 28 to February 9, 2025, changes previous regulations that required an estimated biomass of legal male red king crabs to exceed 200,000 pounds before opening a commercial fishery. This threshold had resulted in only three commercial red king crab seasons in the region over the past two decades.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) and commercial fishers agreed that the 200,000-pound requirement was based on outdated market conditions, which suggested that processors needed this volume to operate profitably. Nels Evens, Executive Director of the Petersburg Vessel Owner’s Association, emphasized that this threshold was not biologically necessary but was established due to past market demands.

The newly approved proposal allows regulators to open a small-scale commercial fishery even when the biomass is below the previous threshold. This change will provide economic opportunities for local crabbers while maintaining sustainable management of the red king crab population. Specific details regarding harvest limits and management will be determined by ADF&G as well as stakeholders.

Published on: February 17, 2025

Alaska Salmon Forecast 2025

by Nigel Stacey

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) has released its 2025 salmon run forecast for the Prince William Sound (PWS) and Copper River regions. The projections provide key insights into Chinook, sockeye, pink, and chum salmon returns, which will influence early-season management strategies.

Copper River Chinook Salmon

The 2025 forecast anticipates a total run of approximately 36,000 wild Chinook salmon in the Copper River, with a prediction range between 25,000 and 51,000 fish. This is 25% below the recent 10-year average of 48,000, classifying the run as “Weak.” Given the sustainable escapement goal (SEG) of 21,000 to 31,000 fish, ADF&G plans to enforce conservative management to support stock sustainability.

Published on: February 17, 2025

Investment in Peter Pan Seafood Ends in Financial Loss and Economic Struggles

by Nigel Stacey

Alaska’s Permanent Fund trustees invested over $29 million in Peter Pan Seafood, a seafood processing company in King Cove, Alaska, as part of an effort to support local businesses. However, the company shut down, leading to financial losses for the state and economic hardship for the community.

The Permanent Fund, valued at approximately $80 billion, is a crucial part of Alaska’s economy. It provides annual dividends to residents and helps fund public services. Traditionally, the fund has focused on investments in global markets, but in recent years, state leaders have pushed to use the fund to support Alaska-based businesses. Peter Pan Seafood became one of the major investments under this new strategy.

Peter Pan Seafood had a long history in King Cove, where its seafood processing plant was a primary source of employment. However, in recent years, the company faced increasing financial difficulties due to aging infrastructure, rising operational costs, and shifting seafood markets. In 2021, McKinley Capital Management, an Anchorage-based firm, helped arrange the acquisition of Peter Pan Seafood using funds from the Alaska Permanent Fund. With limited experience in private equity and corporate restructuring, this raises concerns about whether the investment was properly vetted.

Published on: February 11, 2025

Remains of 10 Victims Recovered from Alaska Plane Crash Wreckage

by Nigel Stacey

A single-engine turboprop Cessna Caravan, operated by Bering Air, was en route from Unalakleet to Nome on Thursday February 6th, 2025, when it vanished from radar. It was a regularly scheduled commuter flight. The aircraft went missing about 30 miles southeast of Nome, with contact lost less than an hour after departure.

The aircraft “experienced some kind of event which caused them to experience a rapid loss in elevation and a rapid loss in speed” said U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Commander Benjamin McIntyre-Coble in a statement.

Search efforts intensified on Friday, with rescuers locating the wreckage after an extensive operation involving local, state, and federal agencies. The plane was found by helicopter, and crews began racing to recover the wreckage and the remains of the victims on Saturday, braving anticipated snow and high winds.

Published on: February 4, 2025

Joint Legislative Task Force Evaluates Alaska’s Seafood Industry

by Joseph Stacey

In response to mounting economic challenges within Alaska’s seafood sector, the Joint Legislative Task Force Evaluating Alaska’s Seafood Industry has released a preliminary report. The report identifies critical issues affecting the industry and proposes policy recommendations to address them.

Key Challenges Identified

The task force report highlights several pressing challenges: