A 41-year-old crew member suffering from a fractured arm and possible head injury was successfully medevaced from a cargo ship located approximately 1,000 miles northeast of Oahu on July 19th, 2025. The bold rescue, coordinated by the Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) Honolulu, brought the injured mariner to safety after…
A powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck off Alaska’s Aleutian chain today, triggering a TSUNAMI WARNING for a 700-mile stretch of the state’s southern coast, from Homer to Unimak Pass. The quake, hitting 54 miles south of Sand Point shortly after 12:30 p.m., has put coastal communities on high alert. Communities…
A critical infrastructure project is officially underway in Alaska, which will significantly enhance navigation and strengthen the economy for one of the nation’s most vital fishing ports. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Alaska District has announced the beginning of dredging operations for the Unalaska-Dutch Harbor Channels Project. Work…
Tugboats are essential for guiding large vessels into ports, assisting with construction projects, and supporting many marine operations. The crews who navigate these powerful vessels face unique hazards daily, from treacherous weather and heavy machinery to long hours and unpredictable conditions. When accidents happen, and a tugboat worker is injured,…
The U.S. Coast Guard is actively working to extinguish a persistent fire aboard the car carrier MORNING MIDAS, located approximately 220 miles south of Adak, Alaska. The first salvage vessel has now reached the scene, joining the ongoing efforts. The incident began on Tuesday, June 3rd, 2025, when smoke was…
Alec Frydman was a young man pursuing a new path in life when he signed on for his first trip aboard a commercial fishing vessel. Tragically, that first voyage turned into a nightmare. In his powerful first-person account published in The Atlantic (June 2025), Alec recounts a violent storm that…
The maritime industry in Washington state, particularly within the Puget Sound region, is a thriving sector that offers diverse career opportunities both on shore and at sea. This part of the state’s economy contributed more than $45.9 billion in 2022 and provided more than 174,300 jobs. These maritime professions are…
The Jones Act, or the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, grants maritime workers the right to pursue a claim against their employer for negligence if an injury occurs during their employment. Unlike traditional workers’ compensation, the Jones Act is a fault-based statute. This means that to succeed in a claim,…
Alaska’s commercial fishing industry, a significant part of the state’s economy, involves working in challenging marine environments. The pursuit of seafood means confronting hazardous conditions, which leads to injuries and fatalities each year. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Understanding the safety measures in place and the legal…
House Bill 116 is currently under consideration by the Alaska State Senate, representing a potential turning point for the state’s commercial fishing industry. This legislation would authorize Alaskan fishermen to form their own insurance cooperatives, which would lower operating costs and ensure the financial stability of smaller operators facing increasingly…