Maritime laws require vessel employers to provide injured offshore workers with Maintenance and Cure benefits that resemble civilian workers' compensation. This Jones Act benefit has a no-fault provision, meaning you must pay it regardless of how your employee...
If you are a boat captain, your worst nightmare is probably having someone fall overboard. After all, if your vessel is moving, you may not be able to turn the ship around in enough time to locate a missing person in a wide-open sea. This is particularly true at night...
Sometimes, no matter how safe your place of business is, workplace injuries can happen. When your company is floating out at sea, the risks are far greater than a brick and mortar on land. Maritime law is complex, and companies need to take extra care when the...
When one of your vessels gets served with an arrest warrant, it may mean your business shuts down for a while. Trying to sort out a vessel arrest may take time, especially if it is your first experience with it. There are several reasons why your vessel may face...
The Limitation of Liability Act of 1851 allows ship owners to protect their assets by filing a complaint to limit their liability for a mishap at sea. Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute explains that vessel owners may file a lawsuit to restrict liability...
Vessels that discharge oil into waterways may have to pay fines and damages. Texas company, Kirby Inland Marine LP, agreed to a $15.3 million settlement to cover damages caused by a collision that caused an oil spill. What happened and why did the Texas company have...
Keeping the waterways clean is something for which everyone who uses the waters is responsible. If you are in a vessel, you need to be sure you properly dispose of your used oil. You cannot simply discharge it into the water. The Environmental Protection Agency...
As you undoubtedly already know, the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, commonly known as the Jones Act, requires that any cargo transported by water between U.S. ports must ship on vessels built, owned and registered in the United States. The ships’ crews must likewise...
Keeping your workers safe can prevent injuries and accidents on your vessel. Enforcing rules, using consistent discipline and refining protocols can create a safe working environment. Maintain documentation of the steps you take to protect your workers. If you do your...
As a Texas maritime employer, your workers face a high risk of experiencing a work-related injury or fatality. The Jones Act, also known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, addresses what you have to do as an employer when it comes to creating and maintaining a safe,...
