On Wednesday, a small crab fishing vessel with four people on board began taking on water about one mile south of Crescent City Harbor. The Coast Guard responded to the Mayday by dispatching a 47 foot motor life boat, and an MH Dolphin Helicopter from Humbolt Bay. The vessel was…
The Government Accounting Office has upheld an appeal of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s, ( NOAA), decision to relocate its home port from Seattle to Newport. The decision to appeal the move was made by the Port of Bellingham who claimed that NOAA did not consider the fact that…
Working as a crewman aboard a ship, tug, barge or fishing vessel, constantly exposes crewman to the risk of injuries to their hands, feet, arms and legs. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a frequent complication of those hand, feet, arm, and leg injuries that requires early diagnosis and treatment…
The crewman who was lost overboard the crab fishing boat BALLAD has been identified as Steve Neva of Ilwaco, Washington. Clatsop County recovery divers found Neva’s body caught in crab gear and lines wrapped in the propellor shaft. Evidence indicates that he was trapped beneath vessel. There was no indication…
A 32 years old crewman was lost overboard and drown Wednesday while working on the crab boat BALLAD. The accident happened 10 miles from the Columbia River Entrance. The man was reported to be wearing only rain gear and no flotation work vest at the time of the accident. The…
In a landmark decision, the Washington State Supreme Court has reinstated an 8 million dollar default judgment entered in favor of a car crash victim seriously injured while a passenger in a Hyundai Accent. The Washington State Supreme Court stated that trial courts need not tolerate deliberate and willful discovery…
Three crewman were rescued Tuesday from the 38 foot fishing vessel MANATEE. The vessel began taking on water near the entrance to Coos Bay, Oregon. The United States Coast Guard sent a 47 foot motor life boat to rescue the crewmen. The vessel reportedly sank and an investigation into the…
Fisherman from outside of the State of Alaska who paid “out of state fees” for commercial fishing licenses and permits from 1984 to 2004 will receive up to $ 70 million dollars in compensation. As the result of a class action lawsuit filed in 1984, the Alaska Court has ruled…
November 25, 2009 Reversing a Seattle District Court decision, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has held that an injured Alaska fish processor has presented sufficient evidence that his case must go to trial. Samson Ili brought a Jones Act injury claim against American Seafoods based upon the theory that…
Heavy winds and high seas led the Coast Guard to close the Colombia River, Tillamook Bay, and Grays Harbor River bars over the weekend due to hazardous sea conditions. The bar closures were for all vessels. Information about bar conditions are available from the Coast Guard on VHF-FM channel 16.…