Recent Updates
March 08, 2010
COURT DENIES ICICLE SEAFOOD?S MOVE TO REDUCE $1.3 MILLION DOLLAR PUNITIVE DAMAGE AWARD
March 03, 2010
ALASKA RANGER DOCUMENTARY - MAYDAY, BERING SEA TO AIR ON DISCOVERY CHANNEL
March 02, 2010
Three Crewmen Die When Cruise Ship Crashes While Docking In Egypt
February 22, 2010
ALASKA CRAB BOAT NORTHWESTERN DOCKS AT SEATTLE FISHERMANS TERMINAL
January 29, 2010
ICICLE SEAFOODS ORDERED TO PAY INJURED SEAMAN ATTORNEY FEES FOR MAINTENANCE AND CURE TRIAL
January 28, 2010
FOUR CREWMEN RESCUED FROM MISSING TUGBOAT
January 25, 2010
ALASKA FACTORY TRAWLER FLEET BEGINS 2010 FISHING SEASON
January 20, 2010
EXXON OIL TANKER LOSES POWER IN PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND
January 20, 2010
MARATHON OIL DECKHAND DIES AFTER FALL OVERBOARD
January 20, 2010
ALASKA FISHING VESSEL ORDERED TO RETURN TO PORT FOR SAFETY VIOLATIONS
Vessel Crashes & Collisions
Three Crewmen Die When Cruise Ship Crashes While Docking In Egypt
Posted by: euser
March 02, 2010
An Italian luxury cruise ship has slammed into a pier while docking in Egypt leaving three crewmen dead and four passengers injured. The deceased crewmen are reported to be from India and Brazil. The cruise ship, COSTA EUROPA, was carrying 1,437 passengers at the time of the accident. The cruise ship is owned by Costa Crociere, an Italian subsidiary of Carnival Corporation.
CROWLEY TUG RUNS AGROUND IN PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND
Posted by: Joseph S. Stacey
December 28, 2009
The 136-foot tug boat, Pathfinder, owned by Crowley Marine Services, has run aground on Bligh Reef in Prince William Sound. The vessel was able to remove itself from the reef and move to nearby sheltered waters, however, divers inspecting the vessel reported that a 4-5 foot section of keel was missing, and three fuel tanks were breached. Two of the three fuel tanks carried diesel fuel, and the third tank was empty.
COAST GUARD VESSEL COLLIDES WITH SMALL RECREATIONAL VESSEL
Posted by: Joseph S. Stacey
December 22, 2009
A 33-foot-long Coast Guard vessel crashed into a 24-foot recreational vessel killing an 8-year-old child and seriously injuring five others. The accident happened in San Diego Bay during the annual Parade of Lights. Weather conditions were fair and clear, and the cause of the accident is under investigation. The Coast Guard vessel was reportedly responding to a grounded vessel.
FISHING VESSEL UNIMAK GROUNDED IN KODIAK ALASKA
Posted by: James M. Beard
October 12, 2009
The 83 foot Fishing Vessel, the UNIMAK, ran aground on the rocks near Chignik, Alaska according to the Coast Guard. A Good Samaritan vessel, the SYLVIA STAR, picked up the three crewmembers who abandoned the fishing vessel.
STATE SENATOR CHARGED WITH FELONY AFTER CRASHING SPEED BOAT INJURING FIVE PASSENGERS
Posted by: James M. Beard
October 09, 2009
The New York Times has reported that Kalispell Republican U.S. Senator Gregory D. Barkus has had felony charges filed against him for the speed boat crash that happened in August, injuring himself, his wife, and four others. The other passengers including Republican Representative Denny Rehberg, his wife, Rehberg staffer Kristen Smith, and State Director Dustin Frost who spent 10 days in a coma and has a brain injury.
TWO VESSELS COLLIDE IN SITCUM WATERWAY NEAR TACOMA WASHINGTON
Posted by: James M. Beard
September 18, 2009
The Coast Guard reported that it responded to a collision between two small vessels in the Sitcum Waterwaynear Tacoma Washington. The Coast Guard's Seattle Unit observed the two vessels colliding and dispatched a response crew.
There is no indication of how many crewmembers / passengers were involved but four of them were reported as having minor injuries. One other person was reported as being knocked unconscious as a result of the collision and was taken by Tacoma Ambulance to St. Joseph's Hospital.
The cause of the collsion is unknown.
U.S. Representative and Staff Injured in Speedboat Accident in Helena Montana
Posted by: James M. Beard
September 01, 2009
On Saturday, August 29, 2009, a family spokesman for the U.S. Representative Denny Rehberg has reported that Representative Rehberg and four others were seriously injured in a speedboat accident when the boat crashed into Rocky Flathead Lake shore as the group was returning to their resort from dinner.
Representative Rehberg suffered an ankle injury requiring surgery. He also suffered a fracture around his eye. Rehberg had a blood alcohol level of .05 but it was made clear through reports that Rehberg was not driving the boat. Rehberg could be released from the hospital soon but it was not clear when he'll return to work.
State Director Dustin Frost, suffered a serious but "survivable" head injury and is under the care of a neurosurgeon. There is no time line for the release of Frost. Reports say that he is responsive but not holding conversations. The Rehberg family friend stated that Frost suffered a significant brain injury but says that the "best thing he has going for him is that 27 years old and strong."
The owner of the boat, Kalispell Republican State Senator Greg Barkus is up and about. There was no details given regarding Barkus' injuries.
Barkus wife was also involved in the crash and is reported as doing well and holding conversations but no details were given regarding her injuries as well.
Rehberg Staffer Kristen Smith was the fifth person on board the boat and suffered several fractures including to the nose and wrist. It was reported she could be released in a couple days.
Flathead County sheriff office did not comment on the accident.
Coast Guard Rescues Two After Recreational Boat Collision
Posted by: James M. Beard
September 01, 2009
The Coast Guard has reported that it rescued two people after a recreational boat collision in Curtis Creek near the Coast Guard yard in Baltimore on Sunday, August 30, 2009. The Coast Guard dispatched a 25 foot response boat and a 41 foot utility boat to the scene. Rescued were father and daughter who were found clinging to their capsized vessel. The father was reportedly suffering from an arm laceration and several contusions and met on the dock by Anne Arundel County EMS.
According to Coast Guard Reports, the other vessel was manned by only one individual who did not survive the collision. The Coast Guard response crew recovered the body from the vessel. The other vessel involved had become out of control following the collision and a Good Samaritan got onboard and stopped it.
The accident is under investigation with the Maryland Natural Resource Police.
FISHING BOAT RUNS AGROUND IN NEWPORT OREGON
Posted by: euser
August 13, 2009
The Coast Guard has reported that the 50 foot tuna boat LORI ANN (formerly LITTLE LINDA), ran aground on Nye Beach near Newport Oregon on August 11, 2009. As reported by the Coast Guard, the vessel came through the surf onto a soft sand beach at 2:00 A.M. The two man crew from California, including the 25 year old captain, dawned survival suits, contacted the Coast Guard, and waited. Fearing for their lives, they launched a survival raft to get to shore. There were no reported injuries. The vessel was completing an eleven day tuna trip off the Oregona coast and had five tons of tuna in its hold.
The Coast Guard lunched a search and rescue team from Station Yaquina Bay, Or. to ensure the crew were able to safely get ashore.
A Coast Guard investigation into the cause of the accident is underway. A crewmember reported that he awoke in his bunk to the sound of breakers slamming into the fishing vessel and knew instantly it was in trouble.
Initial attempt to refloat the vessel during high tide the following day failed. The vessel was carrying 1,800 gallons of diesel fuel all of which has been removed to prevent risk of pollution. Salvage attempts will resume at 6:00 P.M. on Thursday, August 13.
Coast Guard Responds to Mayday Call, Rescues Five
Posted by: James M. Beard
August 11, 2009
The Coast Guard reported that it received a mayday call from the 59 foot fishing vessel the PATTY J approximately 4:30 a.m. Saturday morning. The PATTY J, a 59 foot fishing vessel began taking on water approximately 26 miles Southwest of Juneau in Square Cove. The Coast Guard launched a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and a response boat.
A fishing vessel nearby responded to the sinking vessel as the result of an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast issued immediately after the mayday call by the Juneau sector. The five crew members were rescued by the good Samaritan fishing vessel and reported no injuries.
The vessel was carrying 400 - 500 gallons of diesel fuel and a 300 x 20 foot sheen was reported by an MH-60 rescue helicopter from Sitka that conducted an overflight. Personnel from the Oil Spill Response Organization is expected to arrive to assess the situation.
It has been reported that the vessel is currently grounded in Square Cove. At this point the cause of the grounding is unknown but the Coast Guard is investigating. The PATTY J is homeported in Anacortes, Washington and was enroute from Auke Bay to Excursion Inlet.
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 www.atsealawyer.com.
Coast Guard Investigates Possible New York Collision
Posted by: Joseph S. Stacey
August 07, 2009
The United States Coast Guard is investigating a possible collision that occurred on the Hudson River in New York around 1 a.m. on Wednesday. One vessel has already been recovered and towed after it was capsized in the alleged collision. All four individuals from the capsized vessel were recovered, one by the New York City Fire Department and three by a Good Samaritan vessel. All four were taken to a local hospital for treatment. They reportedly have minor injuries. The Coast Guard New York Sector is investigating the matter. The cause of the incident is currently unknown.
The law office of Beard Stacey Trueb & Jacobsen, LLP 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 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 www.atsealawyer.com.
SURVIVING CREWMEN FROM THE ALASKA RANGER REACH SETTLEMENT OF THEIR CLAIMS
Posted by: James M. Beard
July 16, 2009
Eleven crewmen who survived the sinking of the Alaska Ranger have recently settled their claims against the owners of the vessel, the Fishing Company of Alaska. The eleven crew members represented by the maritime law firm of Beard Stacey Trueb and Jacobsen, reached out-of-court settlements with their employer and owner of the vessel, ending what may have been a series of trials and appeals over the cause of the sinking. The settlement amounts obtained for the crewmen were agreed to be held confidential, however, the settlements involve multi-millions of dollars in total compensations.
