The Chinese heavy lift ship ZHEN HUA 7 was attacked by an unknown number of pirates on November 13, 2020. At the time, the vessel was in the Gulf of Guinea northwest of Sao Tome, Sao Tome and Principe. Early reports indicate some crew members may have been kidnapped during the attack.
The region has had numerous pirate attacks in the past few weeks. On November 7, pirates attacked the Torm Alexandra in the Gulf of Guinea. In October, an unknown number of pirates boarded the LNG vessel METHANE PRINCESS. At the time, the vessel was berthed at Punta Europa LNG Terminal, Malabo, Bioko island, Equatorial Guinea
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 piracy precautions to ensure that their ships 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.
The experienced maritime attorneys at Spagnoletti Law Firm can help you understand your rights if you or a loved one was a victim of piracy. 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 877-678-5864 to learn more about your rights.