We are proud to announce that BoatLaw, LLP has been recognized as one of the top 21 maintenance and cure law firms in Seattle, Washington, by Expertise.com. Expertise.com, a trusted platform for connecting individuals with the best professionals in their area, helps more than 10 million customers each month find qualified experts in a range of…
Captain Jay Rivera was a state-commissioned Branch Pilot for the Port Aransas Bar and Corpus Christi Bay. Marine pilots are required by law in most major seaports of the world for large commercial ships. The primary role of a marine pilot is to safely navigate large vessels through narrow coastal areas using their extensive local knowledge…
After an accident, the aftermath can feel overwhelming. Dealing with injuries, medical treatment, and the uncertainty of your work future can create significant stress. During this time, it’s easy to unintentionally do something that could weaken your future legal claim. It’s essential to be mindful of your actions, as they can significantly impact your ability…
Without a showing of any fault, a shipowner under general maritime law has a duty to provide maintenance, cure, and unearned wages to a seaman who becomes ill or is injured while in the service of the ship. Aguilar v. Standard Oil Co., 318 U.S. 724, 730-31 (1943). “Maintenance” is traditionally defined as a “living…
An explosion tore through an oil production platform in the Gulf of Mexico last Friday, igniting a fire and leaving at least 11 people injured, according to authorities. Rescue efforts are currently underway to locate two crew members who remain missing. If you’d rather understand the law before you talk to anybody about it, that’s…
This morning, the U.S. Coast Guard successfully rescued three crew members who had abandoned their burning fishing vessel, the 35-foot Havanna, approximately 17 miles west of Cannon Beach, Oregon. The crew members were forced to abandon the vessel and took refuge in a life raft while waiting for help to arrive. When the company doctor…
The U.S. Coast Guard has reported that five fishermen were rescued from an island south of Kodiak early this morning after their 58-foot-long fishing vessel struck a rock and started taking on water. According to Coast Guard spokesperson Petty Officer 1st Class David Mosley, the crew of the KODIAK ISLE contacted watchstanders just after midnight…
In a notable development for maritime law, the U.S. Supreme Court has declined to review the Washington State Supreme Court’s decision in Clausen v. Icicle Seafoods, Inc., which upheld a jury award of $1.3 million in punitive damages. This award was granted to a crewmember who suffered from a spinal injury aboard a fish processing…
A collision at sea near Hong Kong between a passenger vessel and a ferry killed at least 38. The Monday night crash was Hong Kong’s deadliest accident in more than 15 years, and the worst maritime accident in more than 40. The ferry involved, the SEA SMOOTH, has a top speed of almost 45 kph…
The Coast Guard confirmed that a W&T Offshore gas platform located in the Gulf of Mexico caught fire Wednesday morning, forcing three workers to evacuate. Two of the workers suffered minor injuries as they evacuated the platform, which is located in 120 feet of water about 29 miles south of Terrebonne Parrish, La.’s Dernieres Barrier…
