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Good Samaritans Save the Day

When a California charter boat began taking on water after hitting a rock, the 14 passengers and crew members were told to abandon ship. Thanks to a nearby vessel, the Sea Biscuit, everyone on board was rescued and, later, taken ashore to safety by Coast Guard rescue crews. This story is a good reminder to… Read More

USCG Cites Commercial Fishing Vessel For Nearly Causing Collision on Columbia River Bar

The U.S. Coast Guard cited a notice of violation to a 48-foot commercial fishing vessel last week after nearly causing a collision with 600-foot ro/ro Grand Race. On the day of the near-miss, the crab-fishing vessel was near the Columbia River Bar on the West Coast, a notoriously difficult crossing with recurrent merchant vessel traffic. Meanwhile,… Read More

Coast Guard Rushes to Save Containership from Engine Fire in CA

Photo Courtesy of GCaptain and the U.S. Coast Guard On May 14th, 2021 the containership NYK Delphinus was traveling from the Fraser River in Canada at the Port of Vancouver to Oakland, California. This monster ship, measuring at 295 meters in length and 32 meters wide, was built in 2007 as a registered Liberian vessel…. Read More

At least 4 Dead After Suspected Smuggling Vessel Overturns in San Diego, CA

San Diego Fire-Rescue Department spokesperson Monica Munoz told CNN they received reports of a smuggling vessel which overturned on May 3, 2021. The boat capsized near the Cabrillo National Monument in Point Loma at approximately 10:27 a.m. James Gartland, lifeguard chief for San Diego, told reporters it appeared the boat hit the reef, broke up… Read More

Third Design for Advanced Staten Island Ferry Launched by NYC DOT

Photos courtesy of the Eastern Shipbuilding Group On the 31st of March 2021, congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis had the honor of breaking the ceremonial champagne over the bow of the Dorothy Day. The vessel was launched by the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) and was a part of a $300 million investment to bring… Read More

Vessel Sinks with Three Aboard Off Washington Coast

On Saturday, March 20, 2021, three men were rescued by a Coast Guard crew after their vessel sank five miles off the coast of La Push, Washington. The three men were found floating around debris without lifejackets late Saturday afternoon when Coast Guard officials rescued them. According to the Coast Guard, the large vessel was… Read More

U.S. Coast Guard Announces New Law Requiring Boat Engine Cut-off Switches

As of April 1, 2021, operators of recreational vessels less than 26 feet long will be required to use an engine cut-off switch (ECOS) and associated ECOS link (ECOSL), according to the U.S. Coast Guard. The ECOS and ECOSL devices prevent runaway vessels and the threats they pose. The ECOSL attaches the vessel operator to… Read More

Family of Four Rescued From Alaskan Island on Christmas Day

On Christmas Eve, a 50-year-old mother and her three children (ages 21, 17, and 13) were aboard a 15-foot vessel when it capsized off the west coast of Baranof Island in Southeast Alaska.  At 2300 hours, a friend reported to the United States Coast Guard that the family’s vessel was overdue to return.   Coast Guard… Read More

Tulalip Police Officer Missing After Capsizing Incident in Washington

According to the KIRO 7 News Staff, on Tuesday, November 17, 2020, two police officers were aboard a Tulalip Police Department Fisheries vessel assisting another boat when the police vessel capsized just before 9 p.m.  Both officers were sent into the water as a result.  One officer, wearing a life jacket, was rescued at 11:45… Read More

  • The Maritime Law Association of The United States
    The Maritime Law Association of the United States (MLA) was founded in 1899. Its formation was prompted by the organization, some three years earlier, of the International Maritime Committee.
  • Washington State Bar Association
    The Washington State Bar Association operates under the delegated authority of the Washington Supreme Court to license the state's nearly 40,000 lawyers and other legal professionals.
  • Oregon State Bar
    The Oregon State Bar is a government agency in the U.S. state of Oregon. Founded in 1890 as the private Oregon Bar Association, it became a public entity in 1935 that regulates the legal profession.
  • Alaska Bar Association
    The Alaska Bar Association is a mandatory bar association responsible to the Alaska Supreme Court for the admission and discipline process of attorneys for the State of Alaska.