On Thursday a vessel caught fire while in the New River in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. 21 people were on board the 41-foot Wellcraft pleasure boat. Nearby boaters heard an explosion and witnessed smoke spewing out of the vessel’s cockpit. Luckily, nearby boats were able to assist and rescue the passengers who were on the burning boat. It is unclear what caused the fire. Seven people were taken to Broward Health Medical Center, where they were treated for minor burns, and other injuries. One person was severely burned and went to Jackson Memorial Burn Unit in Miami. The identity of the boaters has not yet been released.
Safe vessel owners must perform regular maintenance and inspections in order to ensure the safety of their crew members and passengers. When regular maintenance and inspection of the equipment on vessels is not done, dangerous fires and explosions can result. This not only puts the lives of hardworking seaman at risk, but can also endanger members of the public. Owners and operators of vessels should regularly review emergency duties with the crew, identify emergency escapes, and check all firefighting and lifesaving equipment onboard.
Our experienced lawyers handle maritime personal injury and wrongful death litigation of all kinds 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. The lawyers of Spagnoletti Law Firm have handled maritime lawsuits throughout the country, and has attorneys licensed to practice law in Florida, Texas and New York. Our attorneys have extensive experience in maritime injury and death cases involving vessel fires and explosions.
The experienced and aggressive 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 or to learn more about your rights.