In 2009, the scallop trawler LADY MARY tragically sank off the coast of Cape May, N.J., resulting in the loss of six lives. A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation revealed that structural modifications had been made to the vessel without consulting a naval architect, leading to serious stability issues. The crew was unaware of…
Supreme Court Helps Injured Seamen — CSX v. McBride Yesterday the U.S. Supreme Court preserved a legal rule which has for 50 years helped railway workers and Jones Act seamen recover fair compensation for their injuries. Despite a vigorous dissent by the Chief Justice, the majority in CSX Transportation, Inc. v. McBride held that if…
Two influential senators from opposite coasts, each hailing from states with rich maritime traditions, hold the key to passing crucial legislation aimed at overhauling inspections and safety standards for America’s fishing fleets. Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell, who chairs the Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard Subcommittee of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and…
BoatLaw has being fighting to improve fishing vessel safety for 30 years. We have fought hundreds of lawsuits to penalize vessel owners for negligence and unseaworthy conditions. To date governmental regulation has been limited. For decades industry lobbyists have opposed inspection of fishing vessels and license requirements for shipboard personnel. The fishing industry and fishing-related…
Fishermen believe that they observe large gaps in the biological data that is to be used in updated Atlantic King Mackerel stock assessment. The new stock assessment does not line up with what we are observing, states Kelly Schoolcraft a fisherman from North Carolina. The new stock assessment is scheduled for review and completion later…
The captain of the Alaska crabber SEABROOKE recently wrote an opinion piece for the Wall Street Journal. He extolled the benefits of the recently adopted quota system in the Bering Sea crab fishery. He states: “In 2010, commercial fishing once again topped the list of deadliest jobs in the U.S. According to the Bureau of…
