Learn about recent news in the maritime law industry by reading the following blog articles from
BoatLaw, LLP. Attorney Nick Neidzwski and Doug Williams are experienced in practicing admiralty and maritime law, including representation for Jones Act cases and for those injured at sea. BoatLaw serves the entire Pacific Coast including Alaska, Washington, Oregon and California.

Boating Safety Classes in Northern Puget Sound

While the 2021 recreational boating season is drawing to a close, it is important to remember that boating safety is a year-round pursuit.  Indeed, the off-season is a great time for new boaters to take a boating safety course with America’s Boating Club or the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary.  These boating classes often provide the knowledge needed…

September 22, 2021

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Coast Guard Rescues 4 After Fishing Vessel Runs Aground

The U.S. Coast Guard rescued four stranded individuals Thursday after a fishing vessel ran aground near Dutch Harbor, Alaska. The MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew arrived on scene just after midnight to find all four survivors huddled on a rock with the tide coming in. They were placed in the care of awaiting EMS. No injuries…

September 2, 2021

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Passenger Dies of COVID-19 Amid Outbreak on Carnival Cruise Ship

A 77-year-old woman passed away from COVID-19 on August 14th after testing positive on Carnival cruise to Belize. The death marks the first reported death of a passenger from the virus since cruises restarted in the Caribbean and the United States in June. “We are very sorry to hear about the death of a guest…

August 27, 2021

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Royal Caribbean Penalized For Missing Video In Death Suit

A Florida federal judge has penalized Royal Caribbean Cruises Lltd. for destroying surveillance footage in a wrongful death suit over a toddler’s fall out a window. Chloe Wiegand was only 18 months old when she fell to her death from the open window of the cruise ship stationed in Puerto Rico. In an order filed…

August 17, 2021

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Holland America Cruise Guests Tragically Killed in Alaskan Plane Crash

An unexpected tragedy killed five Holland America Line cruise ship passengers last Thursday August 5th. The passengers were from the Nieuw Amsterdam vessel and stopped in Ketchikan, Alaska so those on the ship could partake in various excursions including sightseeing. A very popular sightseeing aviation spot for the area is towards the Misty Fjords National…

August 12, 2021

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New Staten Island Ferry Named After Fallen Soldier Headed to NYC

SSG Michael H. Ollis, departed ESG’s facility in Port St. Joe last Friday, fully certified and passenger ready. The ship was constructed by Eastern Shipbuilding Group, and it is the first of three new Ollis-class ferries for New York City’s Staten Island Ferry service. The Ollis boat is named after U.S. Army soldier Staff Sgt….

August 9, 2021

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Cruise Lines Navigate Complex Rules as Alaska Voyages Resume

The first Alaska cruise of the season set off on Monday on a 7-night voyage as Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas. It’s a sight that the city of Seattle had not seen in a while, all due to a pandemic hiatus: vacationers wearing their extravagant Hawaiian shirts, bucket hats and sunglasses. “We’ve been waiting…

July 22, 2021

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Norwegian Cruise Line Sues Florida Surgeon Over Vaccine Passport Ban

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings sued Florida’s General Scott Rivkees over the state’s law prohibiting “vaccine passports,” on Tuesday. This term is used to refer to proof of vaccination for all travelers boarding cruise ships. The Florida state law banning vaccine passports went into effect on July 1 in an executive order outlined by Republican Governor Ron Desantis. The ban…

July 15, 2021

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Could Passengers of American Jazz Sue After Kentucky Grounding?

Last Wednesday, on July 7th, an American Cruise Lines river cruise ship known as American Jazz found itself run aground near Canton Kentucky. The vessel was carrying around 160 people and was grounded after straying from the main shipping channel. The ship then drifted into a sandbar and was planted there unable to move. The…

July 12, 2021

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