Gunmen have attacked the tanker ship Happy Lady on Tuesday, December 31, 2019. At the time, the vessel was off the coast of west Africa, two miles from the port of Limboh. Eight out of the twenty-eight crewmembers on board were abducted by the attackers. The nationalities of the kidnapped seamen were identified as five Greeks, two Filipinos and a Ukrainian.
It can be dangerous to work in any profession when safety considerations are not made. This is especially so when working on a vessel. Safe maritime companies must consider safe precautions regarding attacks from pirates to ensure that they do not put the lives of their crew members at risk. The risks of catastrophic injury or kidnapping due to pirate activity is especially high in certain regions of the world that have historically had a problem ensuring the safety of vessels. When ship operators fail to account for the hazards posed by known pirate activity, catastrophic incidents can result.
Safe companies must help their ships ships and crews avoid becoming victims of piracy. Before sailing in dangerous waters, safe maritime companies must perform the following:
Conducting a risk assessment related to piracy;
Create and educate crewmembers regarding ship self-protection measures; and
Implement policies and procedures on what to do if attacked by pirates.
Our attorneys have extensive experience in maritime personal injury and wrongful death litigation and the skills needed to represent the families of loved ones who have lost their lives or those who have been seriously injured as a result of the negligence of another party. Spagnoletti Law Firm has lawyers admitted to practice in Texas, Florida and New York, and has handled maritime lawsuits throughout the country. Our attorneys have previous experience handling lawsuits and negotiations arising out of kidnappings or pirate attacks.
The experienced maritime attorneys at Spagnoletti Law Firm can help you understand your rights if you or a loved one was a victim of this tragic accident. There are strict and short time limits on making claims related to vessel accidents, so please contact us online or call 713-804-9306 to learn more about your rights.