Maritime Accidents

Archive for the ‘Commercial Fishermen Injuries’ Category

Commercial Fishing Boat Sinks Off the Coast of Massachusetts

Tuesday, August 31st, 2010

Last week, the only crewmember of the commercial fishing vessel Dirty Martha had to be rescued off the coast of Gloucester, Massachusetts. The crewman is 41 years old and from New Jersey. His name has not been released.

It is reported that the Dirty Martha started sinking around 11 a.m. on Thursday August 26, 2010. The crewman reported engine trouble but is unsure why the boat began taking on water.

The New Jersey fisherman involved in this commercial fishing incident was rescued by a Gloucester sailboat. He was not injured.

Posted in Commercial Fishermen Injuries

How Fatal Was Commercial Fishing in 2009?

Friday, August 27th, 2010

Last week the Bureau of Labor Statistics issued its preliminary findings regarding fatal workplace accidents during 2009. According to the BLS statistics, 57 fishing and hunting workers were killed in workplace accidents during 2009. That is equivalent to 1 percent of the workforce.

Fishing and hunting is part of a the larger agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting industry sector category. While overall the industry saw an 18% decrease in fatalities, the number of fatalities in the fishing industry actually rose. This is significant since many industries saw a decrease in fatalities due to the down economy and fewer hours worked in the industry.

If you lost a loved one in a commercial fishing accident or another other type of maritime occupational accident, please contact an experienced maritime injury lawyer for a free consultation about your legal rights.

Posted in Commercial Fishermen Injuries, Maritime Injury Law, Seamans' Injury/Death Claims

NTSB Forum to Address Commercial Fishing Safety

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

Yesterday, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced that it will be holding a two day forum on fishing vessel safety on October 13 -14, 2010. The announcement comes after last week’s announcement by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) regarding fatal occupational accidents in 2009. According to the BLS, commercial fishing had the highest fatality rate of any occupation in the United States during 2009. The NTSB forum is designed to address safety concerns in the industry and find ways to improve safety for commercial fishermen.

The forum will bring together commercial fishermen, federal agencies, safety equipment manufacturers and others important to the safety of the commercial fishing industry. The topics are expected to include ship related issues that affect safety, lifesaving equipment, fisheries management, training of crew members and other issues.

The public is invited to attend the forum at the NTSB in Washington D.C. or to watch the live broadcast on the NTSB website.

Posted in Commercial Fishermen Injuries

Learn What Happened Aboard the Captain Bligh

Monday, August 2nd, 2010

Last Wednesday, a 22 year old commercial fisherman fell and hurt his shoulder on the 69 foot fishing vessel, Captain Bligh. The accident happened about 40 miles south of Nantucket. The crew of the Captain Bligh contacted the Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Cutter Seneca responded to the call.

The fisherman was transported from the Captain Bligh to the Coast Guard vessel and ultimately to local EMS in Provincetown.

The Captain Bligh had been out on a 3 day lobster fishing trip from its home port in Port Judith, RI. It is the same vessel that has appeared on the Discovery Channel’s show “Lobstermen.”

Posted in Commercial Fishermen Injuries, Maritime Injury Law, Seamans' Injury/Death Claims

Commercial Fisherman Seriously Injured by Scallop Dredge off NJ Coast

Monday, July 26th, 2010

On Saturday night, a serious accident happened aboard the Eileen Marie, a commercial fishing vessel from New Bedford, Massachusetts. The Eileen Marie was about 50 miles off the coast of Cape May, New Jersey when the Coast Guard was alerted to an accident.

A 61 year old scallop fisherman, whose identity has not yet been released, was hit in the head with a scallop dredge. A crewmember called the Coast Guard and said that the main was barely responsive after the accident.

A helicopter crew from the U.S. Coast Guard transported the injured man to Atlanticare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City for treatment. There is no word yet on his condition after this serious commercial fishing accident.

Posted in Commercial Fishermen Injuries, Maritime Injury Law