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Pilot Dies after Disembarking from Bulk Carrier MARIA GS

by | Mar 17, 2021 | Maritime Law, Wrongful Death

A pilot fell while attempting to disembark from the bulk carrier MARIA GS on March 14, 2021.  At the time, the Pilot was attempting to board a pilot boat in Novorossiysk Port, Russia.  The pilot fell into the water, and his body was recovered afterwards.  The vessel is a bulk carrier built in 2011.  It is operated and managed by GS Maritime Co Ltd.  The registered owner is River Services SA.

There have been a number of recent incidents involving vessels.  A fire broke out in the engine room of the container ship VERA RAMBOW on February 8, 2021.  A crew member on the Russian cargo ship ATLANTIC PROJECT II tragically lost his life on February 9, 2021, during cargo operations.  A tug boat capsized off the northwest coast of British Columbia, Canada on February 11, 2021.  A recreational boat capsized off the coast of Oregon on February 11, 2021, killing two passengers.  A vessel capsized off the coast of Florida on February 10, 2021. A fire broke out on the offshore supply vessel GREATSHIP ROHINI on February 13, 2021, killing three crew members.  A fire broke out on the fish processing vessel Aleutian Falcon on February 17, 2021.  A mass poisoning occurred on the cargo ship APRIL on February 19, 2021.  There was an explosion on board the car carrier HELIOS RAY on February 25, 2021.  There was a boating accident in Lake Pontchartrain in Louisiana on March 6, 2021, resulting in one death and four passengers sustaining injuries.  A pilot fell while attempting to board the bulk carrier LORD NELSON on March 7, 2021. There was a boating accident in Bartlett Lake in Maricopa County, Arizona on March 8, 2021.  The coal cargo ship VOLGO-BALT 179 sank on March 11, 2021, killing at least two crew members.  The general cargo ship DANA TRADER sank on March 11, 2021.

Safe maritime companies must perform regular maintenance and inspections in order to ensure the safety of their crew members, but also pilots who may be boarding the vessel.  When ship operators fail to conduct regular maintenance and inspection of the equipment on their vessels, dangerous incidents can result.  This not only puts the lives of hardworking seaman at risk, but can also endanger pilots who are required to board the vessel.

Many risks exists for pilots who are boarding a vessel.  Falls overboard when a pilot attempts to board a vessel are a regular hazard, which companies must attempt to eliminate.  Hazards can include:

  • Defects in the boarding ladder;
  • Dangerous weather conditions;
  • Poor rigging of the boarding ladder;
  • Failure to follow safety procedures.

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.  Our attorneys have extensive experience in maritime injury and death cases on vessels.

The experienced and aggressive vessel accident 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.