Recent Updates
August 30, 2010
Alaska Fishing Boat Sinks After Hitting Iceberg; Crew of Three Saved By Nearby Vessels
August 26, 2010
Tug Boat Deckhand Suffers Head Injury
August 12, 2010
Marine Electrician Recovers $740,000 Jones Act Verdict After Fall From Ladder
August 12, 2010
Crewman On Fishing Vessel RONDYS Suffers Head Injury
August 09, 2010
Capsized Charter Boat Found Off Vancouver Island
August 04, 2010
Fisherman Suffers Head Injury Off Oregon Coast
July 29, 2010
Court Rules Statements In Crewman's Accident Report Not Admission of No Fault
July 28, 2010
Seattle Fishing Vessel Aground in Prince William Sound
July 09, 2010
Alaska Fishermen's Fund Benefits Increased to $10,000
July 09, 2010
Price Fixing Suit Filed Against Pacific Seafoods
Injury at Sea
Tug Boat Deckhand Suffers Head Injury
Posted by: James M. Beard
August 26, 2010
A 53-year old deckhand aboard the tug CHOPTANK has been airlifted to Alabama Medical Center in Mobile. The crewman was reportedly injured after falling 12 feet down a ladder well. The accident happened near Dauphin Island. The injured crewman, Glenn Kelly, was airlifted from the 100-foot tug by a Coast Guard helicopter. The cause of the accident is unknown at this time.
Injuries involving falls down ladders and stairs are frequently seen aboard tugs and fishing vessels. Proper maintenance, design and construction of the stairs should be a high priority for all vessel owners.
Marine Electrician Recovers $740,000 Jones Act Verdict After Fall From Ladder
Posted by: James M. Beard
August 12, 2010
A marine electrician has recovered $740,000 in compensation under the Jones Act after falling from a ladder aboard ship. A Seattle, Washington jury returned a verdict after hearing evidence of the seaman's injuries. The crewman suffered a complex fracture to his jaw and post concussion syndrome. At the time of trial, the crewman had resumed his duties aboard ship but continued to complain of occasional migraine headaches.
Crewman On Fishing Vessel RONDYS Suffers Head Injury
Posted by: James M. Beard
August 12, 2010
A crewman working on the 113-foot fishing vessel RONDYS suffered a head injury early today and was airlifted by helicopter. The crewman is being taken to Emanuel hospital in Portland. The accident happened 160 miles off the shore of Westport, Washington. The cause of the accident and the condition of the crewman are unknown at this time. Records indicate the RONDYS is owned by Rondys Tendering LLC of Westport. The vessel is a steel hulled vessel built in New York Naval Shipyard in 1933.
Fisherman Suffers Head Injury Off Oregon Coast
Posted by: James M. Beard
August 04, 2010
A crewman from the fishing vessel SEA SPIRIT was medically evacuated to Emanuel Hospital in Portland on Wednesday. The injury happened approximately 80 miles west of Tillamook Bay, Oregon. The 27 year old crewman reportedly was involved in a fall that caused his injury. No further details of the accident were available.
Crewmen injured aboard fishing vessels are protected under Federal maritime law, including the Jones Act. Serious injuries happen all too frequently to commercial fishermen. Vessel owners owe crewmen a safe place to work and the duty to provide them a seaworthy vessel. Reasonable safety measures must be in place to prevent foreseeable injuries. This crewman was evacuated by helicopter from the fishing vessel. In the case of suspected head injuries, it is important that a crewman be evaluated and treated as soon as possible after sustaining an injury.
Crewman Suffers Neck and Back Injuries in Fall in Hold of Alaska Cargo Ship
Posted by: James M. Beard
May 24, 2010
The Coast Guard has airlifted a crewman from the ALASKA PACKER in Togiak Bay approximately 300 miles northwest of Kodiak. The crewman, Brian Scarllila, fell approximately 10 feet into the hold of the cargo ship MARIANNE. Scarllila was transferred to the ALASKA PACKER to be seen by the vessel's medical officer. The ALASKA PACKER contacted the Coast Guard for assistance for Scarllila, who reportedly was suffering from shoulder, neck, wrist and back injuries. Scarllila is reportedly a Filipino national who was working aboard the MARIANNE.
Fisherman Dies in Accident Aboard Clam Dredge SILVER FOX
Posted by: James M. Beard
April 26, 2010
A Cape May claim dredge lost two men overboard, one of whom has died. The SILVER FOX is a 60-foot crab boat with a three man crew. One crewmember fell overboard. A second crewman then put on a survival suit and heroically dove into the water in an attempt to rescue the other crewman. The two crewmen were unable to swim back to the vessel; the vessel was reportedly disabled and adrift because a hose had fouled the boat's propellers. The men in the water drifted away from Silver Fox. A Mayday call was issued a 5:04 a.m., and a Coast Guard helicopter recovered both crewmen from the water around 5:40 a.m. Tragically, only one crewman survived the accident. Records indicate the men were in the 55 degree water for approximately one hour before the helicopter arrived on scene. Sea conditions were calm at the time of the accident with one foot waves and winds of 5-10 knots. Cold water temperatures can quickly lead to hypothermia and death, and survival time is very limited without a survival suit.
One Crewman Dead in West Virginia Tow Boat Accident
Posted by: James M. Beard
April 20, 2010
The tow boat MISTY DAWN, a 67-foot tow boat owned by Ross Brothers Construction of Kentucky, sank in the Kanawha River on Monday with the loss of one crewman's life. The accident happened at 2 a.m. when a barge the tow boat was pushing began taking on water. The MISTY DAWN pushed the barge towards shore where it sank. The tow boat then sank in the middle of the river eight hours later, nearly two yards away from the previously sunken barge. The cause of the sinkings are unknown at this time and will be investigated further by the Coast Guard.
One of the two crewmen aboard the MISTY DAWN was able to swim to shore, but the body of the second crewman, Greg Smith, was recovered by divers from the vessel's pilot house. Traffic on the river has been halted pending salvage of the MISTY DAWN. The vessel reportedly had 4,000 gallons of diesel fuel on board. The Coast guard is treating the sinking of the barge and the tow boat as two separate incidents.
$700,000 Hearing Loss Claim - Life Boat Drills
Posted by: James M. Beard
April 19, 2010
An able bodied seaman was injured while participating in life boat drills aboard a tanker ship. The brake for the winch used to lower and raise the life boat failed, causing the winch handle to spin out of control, striking the seaman in the head. The blow smashed the seaman's hard hat, fractured his skull, and caused bilateral fractures in the seaman's ear bones. The 65 year old seaman had total hearing loss in one ear and partial hearing loss in the other ear. He also suffered from dizziness and tinnitus. Remarkably, life boat drills aboard ships have resulted in many accidents and deaths for crewmen, and extreme care and caution must be used during these important drills.
In this case, the vessel's winch failed under normal and expected use, rendering the vessel unseaworthy. The Jones Act negligence case filed in Seattle King County Superior Court was settled in the early stages of litigation. Beard Stacey & Jacobsen, LLP represented the injured crewman.
CREWMAN LOSES LEG IN OIL SUPPLY VESSEL ACCIDENT
Posted by: James M. Beard
April 15, 2010
Late Friday, a crewman working on an off shore oil supply vessel suffered a leg amputation injury when he became caught in the bite of the line. The accident happened 27 miles off shore of Corpus Christi. The call came to the Coast Guard for assistance from the SANDRA SINO, indicating the crewman was working alongside the oil rig when he became entangled in one of the mooring lines and lost his leg. The crewman was airlifted by Coast Guard helicopter to Spohn Memorial Hospital.
CREWMAN LOSES LEG IN OIL SUPPLY VESSEL ACCIDENT
Posted by: Joseph S. Stacey
April 12, 2010
Late Friday, a crewman working on an off shore oil supply vessel suffered a leg amputation injury when he became caught in the bite of the line. The accident happened 27 miles off shore of Corpus Christi. The call came to the Coast Guard for assistance from the SANDRA SINO, indicating the crewman was working alongside the oil rig when he became entangled in one of the mooring lines and lost his leg. The crewman was airlifted by Coast Guard helicopter to Spohn Memorial Hospital.
OCEAN PEACE FISH PROCESSOR SUFFERS SERIOUS WRIST INJURY
Posted by: Joseph S. Stacey
April 01, 2010
March 30, 2010
A fish processor has suffered serious injuries while cleaning a fish processing machine aboard the Alaska factory trawler Ocean Peace. The accident happened 100 miles northwest of Adak Island. The crewman, Joemar Lontoc, had to be airlifted from the vessel by a Coast Guard helicopter. Lontoc was being transferred to Anchorage for further emergency medical treatment.
Injuries such as Lontoc's occur far too frequently on Alaska fish processing vessels. Crewmen must be properly trained and supervised in operating this dangerous equipment. Safety guards must be installed on the equipment to prevent accidental injuries. During cleaning operations the machines should be locked and tagged out to prevent serious injuries.
AMERICAN SEAFOODS FACTORY TRAWLER CATCHES FIRE IN BERING SEA
Posted by: James M. Beard
March 22, 2010
March 19, 2010 - A dangerous shipboard fire aboard the AMERICAN DYNASTY's in its engine room has been extinguished after a three hour battle by the ship's crew. The AMERICAN DYNASTY is a 283 foot factory trawler owned by American Seafoods. There were 137 crewmen on board the vessel at the time of the fire with no reported injuries or deaths.
COAST GUARD TO CONDUCT FORMAL INVESTIGATION INTO PARSAILING ACCIDENT
Posted by: James M. Beard
September 17, 2009
The Coast Guard has reported that it has ordered a formal district investigation into the parasailing accident that killed two women in late August when their connecting rope came free from the boat that was towing them.
One of the purposes of the investigation is to determine if the accident was a single occurrence or a vessel class wide problem. The Coast Guard expects the investigation to take several weeks.
CREWMEMBER HOISTED OFF FISHING VESSEL KAREN JAN NEAR OREGON
Posted by: James M. Beard
September 17, 2009
The Coast Guard reported that on August 24, 2009 it received a call that a 30 year old crewmember aboard the KAREN JAN was having trouble breathing. The Coast Guard dispatched a helicopter crew and transported the man from the KAREN JAN which was approximately 57 miles west of Lincoln City, Oregon to Pacific Communities Hospital in Newport.
Two Parasailors Killed In North Carolina
Posted by: James M. Beard
September 01, 2009
The Coast Guard has reported that two female parasailors have been killed near the Ocean Isle Beach Pier in North Carolina on Friday, August 28, 2009. According to Coast Guard reports, the chief of the Ocean Isle Fire Department notified the Coast Guard of the incident at approximately 2:28 p.m. The initial report was that the connecting rope from the parasail to the boat parted. The Coast Guard is investigating the incident including interviewing eyewitnesses and the master and crew of the vessel, TIED HIGH. The vessel and its contents were taken by the Coast Guard for evidence and drug and alcohol testing has been taken of the master and crew.
Crabber Missing After Falling Overboard
Posted by: Joseph S. Stacey
August 07, 2009
The United States Coast Guard is looking for a 31-year old man who fell overboard early Tuesday morning near Elizabeth City, North Carolina. The individual, whose name has not been released, was working aboard a crabbing vessel about two miles south of Frog Island in Albemarle Sound when he fell overboard. Coast Guard officials report that the man was climbing on crab pots on the vessel's deck when he fell in. The vessel's captain immediately stopped and anchored the vessel, however was not able to locate the crabber because he did not resurface. A Good Samaritan who was nearby called the Coast Guard at 9:10 a.m. to report the crabber had fallen overboard. A Coast Guard helicopter crew from Air Station Elizabeth City and a rescue boat crew from Station Elizabeth City were immediately dispatched to begin searching for the man. The crabber was not wearing a life jacket and is reportedly unable to swim.
The law office of Beard Stacey Trueb & Jacobsen, LLP strongly urges all mariners to wear the proper safety equipment while working aboard a vessel. This equipment will significantly help save your life should an accident such as this occur. The maritime lawyers at BSTJ, LLP 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.
Coast Guard Medevacs Crewman from Pelican
Posted by: Joseph S. Stacey
August 07, 2009
25-year old Camden McKay was medevaced from Pelican to Juneau, Alaska after he sustained a head injury on Thursday. McKay was working aboard the fishing vessel Pamele Rae when he hit his head after falling aboard the vessel. A fellow crewmember called the United States Coast Guard for assistance. A Coast Guard rescue crew responded and medevaced McKay to Juneau, where he was taken to Bartlett Regional Hospital for further care. The Pamele Rae is homeported in Petersburg.
The maritime lawyers at Beard Stacey Trueb & Jacobsen, LLP 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.
FIRE ABOARD THE SHRIMP BOAT KEMO SABAY SENDS CREWMAN TO HOSPITAL WITH BURNS
Posted by: James M. Beard
July 31, 2009
The shrimp fishing vessel KEMO SABAY caught fire and burned on Thursday when a propane tank was tipped over and ignited. Three crewmen were rescued by nearby vessels. One of three crewmen aboard the vessel was seriously burned and was medivaced to Harborview Hospital for treatment. The KEMO SABAY is home ported in Port Townsend.
The maritime injury lawyers at Beard Stacey Trueb & Jacobsen, LLP recently settled another case for a crewman injured in a Washington fishing vessel fire and explosion for 4 million dollars. Fire and explosion cases involve complex factual and legal issues. Vessel owners frequently attempt to limit the crewman's right to compensatory damages in cases such as this by employing an ancient law called the Limitation of Liability Act.
F/V ALASKA WARRIOR LOSES MAN OVERBOARD
Posted by: James M. Beard
July 08, 2009
The search for a 58-year-old crewman that fell overboard off the ALASKA WARRIOR on Monday has been called off. The crewman was reportedly not wearing any floatation devices or survival gear. The ALASKA WARRIOR is a 192-foot head and gut fish processing vessel owned and operated by the Fishing Company of Alaska. The accident happened in Amukta Pass, about 218 miles west of Dutch Harbor, Alaska. The Fishing Company of Alaska was also the owner of the ALASKA RANGER that sank in March of 2008 with the loss of five crewmen. The Coast Guard Casualty Investigation into the ALASKA RANGER has not yet been concluded. Less than a week ago another Seattle based fishing trawler, the REBECCA IRENE, lost a crewman overboard. The two recent accidents again emphasize the continued need for heightened safety standards and procedures in the Alaska fishing industry.
CREWMAN MISSING FROM ALASKA FISHING BOAT
Posted by: James M. Beard
July 08, 2009
The REBECCA IRENE reported that a crewman has fallen overboard and is missing in the Bering Sea. The accident happened on July 3rd about 24 miles southeast of Umnak Island. The REBECCA IRENE is a 140-foot trawler owned by Rebecca Irene Fisheries, a Seattle-based fishing company. The search for the 38-year-old missing crewman, Nhial Opiew, was suspended by the Coast Guard on Sunday. Search efforts were reportedly hindered by low visibility. The details of the accident are unknown at this time and will probably be the subject of a Coast Guard Casualty Investigation
