Community Attributes, a Seattle-based research firm, has just released their “Washington State Maritime Cluster Economic Impact Study.” Maritime history in our region, most notably fishing and trade, began when the first people settled here many thousands of years ago, followed by European and American expansion, and since then, we’ve experienced…
Maritime Injury Law Blog
F/V SEA ANGELS Fisherman Medevaced with Head Injury
Early on November 30, Clint Owens, 41, suffered a head injury aboard Beaufort, N.C.-based F/V SEA ANGELS when part of the rigging equipment struck him. The crew of SEA ANGELS contacted the Coast Guard around 7:00 a.m., as Mr. Owens’ symptoms included short-term memory loss, severe neck pain, jaw injury,…
Ballard Marine Construction Vessel Capsizes off Seattle – One Man Dies, Four Survive
On Friday, November 15, the weather was windy with high waves in Elliott Bay, Seattle. According to reports, a 30-foot dive survey vessel from Ballard Marine Construction, with five crewmembers on board, capsized in the waves, throwing all five into the frigid waters. The Coast Guard received the call at…
Six Alaska Crab Fishermen Rescued Near Dutch Harbor – F/V ARCTIC HUNTER on the Rocks
The 93-foot crab boat ARCTIC HUNTER ran aground shortly after leaving Dutch Harbor on November 1, 2013. The crab boat crashed onto the rocks near Morris Cove early Friday morning and remains partially submerged. Numerous vessels responded to the Mayday message with the SAGA SEA being the first on the…
COURT APPROVES PUNITIVE DAMAGES FOR UNSEAWORTHINESS
The Federal Appellate Court for the Fifth Circuit has entered an opinion, McBride et al v. Estis Well Services, approving punitive damages for seaman in cases involving claims of unseaworthiness. The decision is one of the first Circuit Court decisions to address punitive damages availability in a Jones Act or…
American Seafoods Sells American Pride in 34.5 Million Dollar Deal
American Seafoods Group, one of biggest commercial fishing companies involved in the Alaska pollock fishery, has sold their east coast seafood processing business, American Pride Seafoods. The sale to High Liner Foods was announced October 1, 2013. High Liner Foods reportedly paid $34.5 million for this subsidiary of American Seafoods.…
AMERICAN TRIUMPH INJURED CREWMEN MEDEVACED FROM VESSEL
An injured crewman suffering from internal injuries has been airlifted from the 285-foot fishing vessel AMERICAN TRIUMPH. The vessel, part of the American Seafoods fleet, was fishing 30 miles west of Coos Bay off of the Oregon Coast Sunday. The unidentified crewman was listed as being 37 years old. The…
ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL – WASHINGTON FISHING VESSEL RUNS AGROUND NEAR GRAYS HARBOR
On September 6, the 44-foot fishing vessel, ADRIANNA, ran aground through the surf near Grays Harbor Washington. The incident was reportedly caused when the crewman on wheel watch feel asleep. The Coast Guard is citing fatigue as the cause of the accident. The incident occurred at around 3:00 a.m. on…
285-Foot Tidewater Grain Barge Loose on the Columbia River
At approximately 10:00 p.m. on Friday, Tidewater Barge Lines reported to the Coast Guard than an unmanned 285-foot grain barge was missing from their Hayden Island facility. Crewmembers of the tug LORI B located the barge floating near the navigation channel and towed it back to Tidewater’s facility. Upon inspection…
Court of Appeals Limits Maintenance and Cure Defense
Many maritime employers require their prospective crewmen to answer a preemployment health questionnaire. These health questionnaires are rarely used in the hiring process and are instead utilized as weapons by maritime employers to attack the seaman’s credibility in cases where the seaman later becomes injured and seeks compensation under the…