There was a deadly incident involving the container ship BLUE OCEAN on February 21, 2022. At the time, the vessel was in Taichung Port, Taiwan. A pilot was attempting to board the vessel when he slipped and fell into the water below. Although he was recovered and taken to a hospital for treatment, the pilot ultimately lost his life. It is believed that weather conditions may have contributed to the fall.
There have been a number of recent incidents involving vessels. On February 6, 2022, the Captain on the shrimp boat LADY NORA fell overboard after slipping on the vessel. There was a deadly recreational boating accident on February 13, 2022, in Lower St. Martin Parish, Louisiana. The Spanish fishing boat VILLA DE PITANXO sank off the coast of Newfoundland on February 15, 2022. There was a fire on the cargo ship FELICITY ACE on February 16, 2022.
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 in the industry, 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.
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 a maritime incident. There are strict and short time limits on making claims related to maritime injuries, so please contact us online or call 713-804-9306 or to learn more about your rights.