The U.S. Coast Guard “forward deploys” assets to Cold Bay during the winter fishing season in an effort to shave hours off flight times when emergency personnel must respond to situations in the Bering Sea and the Aleutian Islands. Once again, this practice proves prudent. On Tuesday, January 29th at…
Maritime Injury Law Blog
Effects of Government Shutdown on U.S. Coast Guard Workers, Families, and Economy
While Monday was the first day back to work for hundreds of thousands of workers around the country, it was just another day for the U.S. Coast Guard; they have been working without pay since the partial government shutdown began on December 22, 2018. Most service members received a check…
Fisherman’s Finest Granted Waiver
The Jones Act or Maritime Law requires that vessels moving goods between U.S. ports are owned and operated by U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Vessels are also required to be built in the U.S. by companies owned and operated by U.S citizens or permanent residents. The Jones Act requires that…
Coast Guard Announces Official Investigation into F/V Mary B II Capsizing
The U.S. Coast Guard has announced that it will formally investigate the sinking of the F/V MARY B II, which capsized near Newport, Oregon along the Yaquina Bay bar on January 8th. Three men died as the result of the sinking of the 42-foot vessel. It was reported that prior…
42,000 Coast Guard Members Miss Paycheck
42,000 active-duty U.S. Coast Guard members have missed their first paycheck due to the government shutdown. Coast Guard members are continuing to work without pay on essential duties “that provide for national security or that protect life and property during partial government shutdowns,” such as securing U.S. ports and coastlines,…
Three Lost in Oregon – MARY B II Capsized
It is with great sadness that we report the death of three crew members from the MARY B II. The vessel was returning from crabbing late in the evening on Tuesday, January 8, 2019. The U.S. Coast Guard reported that the 42-foot vessel overturned as it crossed Yaquina Bay Bar…
Westport Washington Marina Ranked 11th in the Nation
In a recent report published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Westport Marina in Washington State was ranked 11th for national seafood landings in 2017. More than 250 commercial fishing vessels make use of the marina each year, landing over $64 million in seafood. This equates to roughly…
F/V Nordic Viking Sinks, Coast Guard Leads Cleanup
The U.S. Coast Guard has taken the lead in the cleanup of over 700 gallons of marine diesel fuel and 50 gallons of gasoline that spilled after the sinking of the F/V NORDIC VIKING. The 71-foot vessel was in Seward Harbor, Alaska at the time of the incident. The cause…
Fire Aboard F/V Ocean Pearl, Four Rescued
On Saturday, December 8th, the U.S. Coast Guard rescued four crewmembers who abandoned ship after a fire broke out aboard the 75-foot F/V OCEAN PEARL. The vessel was located approximately 16 miles southeast of Cape May, New Jersey at the time of the incident. Crew members reported that an electrical…
Alaska Earthquake Shakes Region
The massive earthquake that rocked Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday, November 30th caused widespread damage to roads, buildings, schools, and homes. Initially, a tsunami warning was issued after the quake, but it was revised and canceled after authorities assessed that there would be no giant wave. The earth began shaking at…