A pilot was killed during a boarding accident involving the product tanker ALHENA on July 18, 2022. According to reports, a vessel pilot was attempting to board the vessel at the anchorage off the port of Yalova, Turkey. While climbing up the pilot ladder, the pilot fell into the water below. A police boat was able to recover the pilot, and he was treated by paramedics. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
There have been a number of recent incidents involving vessels. A small recreational boat capsized off the coast of Ipswich, Massachusetts on June 25, 2022. A speedboat capsized while traveling on the Pend Oreille River on June 28, 2022. There was a collision between two boats near Angel Island in San Francisco, California on June 30, 2022. A recreational boat caught fire in Lake Texoma, Oklahoma on July 2, 2022. A fire broke out on the oil tanker ADVANTAGE SUMMER on July 17, 2022.
It can be dangerous to work in any industry when safety considerations are not taken seriously. This is especially so when working on a large ship. 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 including those involving capsized 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 a maritime disaster. 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.