A frightening incident occurred on Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of the Seas cruise ship recently when a fire broke out, causing a brief loss of power. While no injuries were reported, the event undoubtedly left passengers and crew members shaken. This leaves many people wondering about what they should do—and what their rights would be—if…
Maritime injuries are a serious concern for vessel operators and crew members alike. One crucial aspect of preventing such accidents is for vessels to maintain a proper lookout at all times. Unfortunately, complacency is a danger in any workplace, and maritime workers are not exempt. That’s why it’s important to know your rights as a…
When navigating the waters of the Pacific Northwest and elsewhere, understanding the rules of right-of-way at sea is a key part of ensuring a safe and smooth sailing experience. One of the key components of this maritime protocol is the responsibility of the give-way vessel when crossing paths with another vessel. When an operator violates…
Underwater welding is a high-risk profession that poses numerous dangers to those who work in this field. From the hazardous environment to the risk of electrical shock and exposure to toxic gasses, underwater welders face a myriad of challenges that can result in serious injury or even death. If you’ve suffered an injury while working…
Continuing conflicts between the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) are causing dramatic changes to West Coast ports. Since early June, West Coast ports have experienced worker slowdowns and stoppages, resulting in an estimated $5.2 billion worth of trade stagnation in southern California alone. The Port of Seattle has…
ChatGPT—a language AI chatbot—is being used for everything from composing emails to writing code, but could it also be used for hacking? Maritime vessels are becoming increasingly updated with electronically controlled components otherwise known as Information Technology (IT) systems. As such, vessels are becoming increasingly susceptible to cyber attacks, especially if a vessel is not…
International shipping giant Maersk has suspended a number of crew members after allegations were posted that a student was raped during a federal training program. The incident occurred in 2019. The woman was 19 years old at the time and competing what is known as a ‘Sea Year’ – a mandatory program in which students…
The U.S. Coast Guard rescued 2 men, one woman, and a dog after the commercial fishing boat ‘Royal’ sank 45 miles off Lincoln City, OR, on Sunday afternoon. Watchstanders at Sector North Bend received a distress signal at 2 p.m. from an electronic position indicating radio beacon [EPIRB]. Coast Guard watchstanders issued an urgent marine…
President Joe Biden signed into law the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act early Monday. This act will allow foreign-flagged cruise ships to operate cruises to Alaska in 2021. Elective representatives of the state proposed the act in March after Canada announced its ports would be closed to cruise ships until February 2022. U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski…
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