Last weekend, a 55 year old diver was rescued by the Coast Guard after he was found slipping in and out of consciousness. The male diver was aboard the diving vessel Explorer at the time of his injury.
The Coast Guard responded to this Southern California maritime accident near Anacapa Island. The man was taken back to land and transported to St. John Hospital in Ventura. His identity and condition have not yet been released.
Earlier this week the Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles – Long Beach issued a Bulletin to maritime employers and workers regarding the use of proper lookouts. The Coast Guard noted that there is a recent “alarming trend” of mariners leaving their lookout posts to tend to other duties and the lack of lookouts are putting vessels and crewmembers at risk of serious injury.
The Coast Guard reminds mariners that international and federal regulations require that each vessel have a proper lookout at all times. If a Southern California maritime accident occurs, and the lack of a proper lookout if found to be causal factor in the accident, then the Coast Guard may take enforcement action and the owner or operator of the vessel may be subject to a civil maritime injury lawsuit.
On Sunday a worker on the Star of India fell to his death at the San Diego Maritime Museum where he was helping to prepare the Star of India for a November sail. The worker who has been identified as 68 year old Greg Gushaw was 30 feet up on the ship’s rigging when he fell and hit his head on the shrouds of the boat before falling into the water.
Two crewmembers jumped in after Mr. Gushaw and got him to a small boat where he was taken to the dock. Harbor police and the San Diego Fire Department responded to the accident. However, Mr. Gushaw was unresponsive. He was taken to the hospital where he was declared dead.
Mr. Gushaw was wearing a safety harness when he fell. However, the equipment did not work properly and did not stop his fall.
Both the Harbor Police and the Maritime Museum are investigating this fatal San Diego maritime accident.
The busy ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, California could be shut down if a contract agreement is not reached soon between the maritime clerks and their employers. The problem is that if maritime clerks strike, and longshoremen, honor that strike, business at the busy ports could grind to a halt. Without the longshoremen and other vital maritime employees working their jobs, it would be unsafe to require other maritime employees to work theirs.
For the safety of the longshoremen, and all the other employees in the Ports of L.A. and Long Beach, it is important that a contract be put in place soon and that work continue uninterrupted in these busy ports.
Earlier this month, a dredging project began in Long Beach. The purpose of the project is to lengthen the Port of Long Beach’s main channel to allow for the safe passage of large ships, such as oil tankers.
It is believed that the project will not only increase efficiency at the port but also that it will increase safety. Oil tankers will now be able to turn around in the Port and fully unload after docking.
The sediment that is being dredged is going to build a new land area around Pier G.
This project, which could improve safety for many maritime workers, is not without risks to those doing the dredging work. Dredging involves the use of heavy equipment in difficult conditions. Significant injuries and fatalities can result, particularly if an employer is negligent. Thus, it is important for the maritime workers on this dredging project to be careful and to be safe.
The project is scheduled to completed in 2011.
Injured seaman must file a claim within three years of the injury. More on Employees Rights...