Maritime Injury Law Blog

Published on: September 16, 2009

COAST GUARD RESPONDS TO FISHING VESSEL DIANE LYNN II

On August 30, 2009, the Coast Guard reported that it received a distress call from the fishing vessel the DIANE LYNN II, a 65 foot dragger, when it began taking on water off the coast of Maine. The vessel was on its way to offload its catch when it began taking on water, however the dewatering pumps couldn’t keep up.

The Coast Guard arrived on scene approximately an hour later and helped secure the source of the flooding. The vessel was able to sail to the Harbor with a Coast Guard escort where it offloaded its catch before undergoing repairs.

Published on: September 16, 2009

FINAL REPORT RELEASED REGARDING SINKING OF LADY D

by Stacey & Jacobsen, PLLC

The Coast Guard has reported that it has released its final report of the sinking of the passenger vessel the LADY D. The LADY D capsized in March, 2004, killing five people in the Patapsco River in Baltimore. The LADY D was a small pontoon water vessel.

The Coast Guard cites the master’s decision to depart the dock in an approaching visible squall line. The Coast Guard also states that the vessel capsized as a combination of several factors which created an overturning motion which the vessel could not recover.

Published on: August 31, 2009

Coast Guard Responds to Collision Between Two Towing Vessels

by Stacey & Jacobsen, PLLC

The Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit in Port Arthur, TX has reported a collision between two towing vessels on August 11, 2009. Both towing vessels, the CAROLINE and the MISS STACIE were pushing barges at mile marker 312 on the Intracoastal Waterway when the collision occurred.

According to the Coast Guard, after the collision, the CAROLINE began taking on water. A good Samaritan towing vessel, the REDEEMER was nearby when the collision happened and rescued the five crewmembers on board the CAROLINE. Once the crewmembers were rescued, the REDEEMER assisted with the CAROLINE’S five barges.

The Intracoastal Waterway was closed as a result of the collision between mile marker 310 to 315 and protective booming was placed around the CAROLINE which was partially submerged. Initial reports indicated a small oil sheen. A unified command consisting of the Coast Guard, Canal Barge Company, and Texas General Land Office is developing and evaluating salvage plans for the CAROLINE.

Published on: August 31, 2009

Coast Guard Rescues Two Fisherman

by Stacey & Jacobsen, PLLC

The Coast Guard unit in New Orleans has reported that on August 9, 2009, it received a report that two fishermen were missing by Hopedale, Louisiana. Because of weather, the Coast Guard could not begin a search until Monday morning. A MH-65C Dolphin rescue helicopter was launched and located the missing boaters who were then guided by spotlight and radio to familiar waters.

Published on: August 31, 2009

Three Men Rescued in Lake Pontchartrain

by Stacey & Jacobsen, PLLC

On Monday, August 10, 2009, the Coast Guard reported that it received a call at 4:30 a.m. that a boat had capsized and one of the three men who were in the boat was missing. The Coast Guard unit in New Orleans immediately launched a search team to assist with local law enforcement. According to the Coast Guard, the man was located approximately 150 feet from shore. The 40 year old man was rescued by a Coast Guard rescue swimmer and was hoisted into a MH-65C Dolphin Helicopter where he was then transferred to Emergency Medical Services and taken to a local hospital. The Court Guard states his condition is unknown.

The law office of Beard Stacey Trueb & Jacobsen, PLLC urges all mariners to use extreme caution when boating at night and to wear all proper safety equipment, especially life jackets. The maritime lawyers at Stacey & Jacobsen, PLLC represent injured mariners throughout the nation in claims involving the Jones Act and General Maritime Law. For any questions regarding maritime law or injuries sustained while working aboard a vessel, contact us at 206.282.3100 or visit our website at www.atsealawyer.com.

Published on: August 27, 2009

Coast Guard Rescues Two From Grounded Vessel In San Juan Islands

by Stacey & Jacobsen, PLLC

The Coast Guard has reported that on August 11, 2009 at approximately 11:00 p.m. the 87 foot Coast Guard Patrol Boat SEA LION was near Sucia Island State Park when it came across the 30 foot wooden recreational boat GYPSY grounded on some rocks. The Coast Guard station in Bellingham, WA dispatched a smaller cutter to rescue the owner and his passenger. No injuries have been reported.

According to the Coast Guard, the GYPSY was known to have 50 gallons of diesel fuel on board but no pollution has been identified.

Published on: August 27, 2009

Coast Guard Saves Six From Capsized Vessel

by Stacey & Jacobsen, PLLC

The Coast Guard has reported that it has rescued six people from a recreational vessel that capsized in the Gulf of Mexico. Acoording to Coast Guard reports, the body of a seventh person was located in the pilot house of the vessel and turned over to authorities for identification and notification to next of kin.

The Coast Guard stated that it received a report at 3:30 p.m. from the captain of the vessel the FIGHTING CHICKEN, a 21 foot offshore supply vessel, that the recreational vessel had capsized. The Coast Guard immediately dispatched the 87 foot cutter COHO, an MH-65C Dolphin rescue helicopter, and an HC-144 Ocean Sentry rescue plane to assist in a search and rescue.

The FIGHTING CHICKEN rescued four of the people and turned them over to the COHO. The Coast Guard Helicopter rescued two additional people found on a nearby oil rig. The condition of the survivors is unknown.

Published on: August 7, 2009

Coast Guard Rescues Five From Wall Collision

by Stacey & Jacobsen, PLLC

The United States Coast Guard rescued five people after their boat hit a breakwall in Milwaukee late Sunday night. The vessel was traveling at McKinley Marina when they struck the wall at 20 mph. When the Coast Guard arrived, three women and one man were holding on to the bow of the vessel. The other passenger was floating unconscious about ten feet away from the vessel. All were taken by the marina’s emergency medical services to two different hospitals to treat the various degrees of injuries. They were not wearing life jackets.
The law office of Beard Stacey Trueb & Jacobsen, PLLC urges all mariners to use extreme caution when boating at night and to wear all proper safety equipment, especially life jackets. The maritime lawyers at Stacey & Jacobsen, PLLC represent injured mariners throughout the nation in claims involving the Jones Act and General Maritime Law. For any questions regarding maritime law or injuries sustained while working aboard a vessel, contact us at 206.282.3100 or visit our website at www.atsealawyer.com.

Published on: August 6, 2009

Body Found in Search Area for Missing Passenger

by Stacey & Jacobsen, PLLC

A body has been found in the search area for the cruise line passenger who went missing aboard Holland America’s Zaandam cruise ship on Monday. The body was taken to Juneau for positive identification. The individual who went missing, 45-year-old Amber Malkuch of Washington State, is believed to have fallen overboard somewhere between Douglas Island and Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska. The woman ordered room service at midnight, when the vessel was near Douglas Island, but was reported missing by a friend at 10 a.m. the next morning when the vessel was at Glacier Bay National Park. The United States Coast Guard was immediately called and dispatched to the area; however the search to find the woman was not immediately successful. The water temperature where the woman would have fallen overboard was 57 degrees at the time of the search. The Coast Guard will continue its search for the woman until a positive identification has been made. The police will review footage from the ship’s security cameras to better understand what occurred. Chief Petty Officer Dana Warr said there were no immediate signs of foul play.
The maritime lawyers at Beard Stacey Trueb & Jacobsen, PLLC represent injured mariners throughout the nation in claims involving the Jones Act and General Maritime Law. For any questions regarding maritime law or injuries sustained while working aboard a vessel, contact us at 206.282.3100 or visit our website at www.atsealawyer.com.

Published on: August 6, 2009

Coast Guard Searching for Man Overboard

by Stacey & Jacobsen, PLLC

The United States Coast Guard is searching for a 31-year old fisherman who fell overboard on Friday, July 31 in Togiak Bay, Alaska. The fisherman, Benjamin Symmes, was working aboard a 28-foot fishing vessel, the Miss Colleen, when he fell overboard approximately one half mile off Anchor Point in Togiak Bay. He was last seen aboard the Miss Colleen at 9:45 p.m. wearing a bright orange rain suit. The Coast Guard was immediately called and dispatched a search party, however was unsuccessful in retrieving Mr. Symmes after searching Friday night and Saturday morning. The Miss Colleen is homeported in Metlakatla, Alaska.
The maritime lawyers at Beard Stacey Trueb & Jacobsen, PLLC represent injured mariners throughout the nation in claims involving the Jones Act and General Maritime Law. For any questions regarding maritime law or injuries sustained while working aboard a vessel, contact us at 206.282.3100 or visit our website at atsealawyer.com.