Types of Boating Accidents

Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

There are many types of boats and many types of boating accidents. With the numerous waterways around Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. attracting pleasure boaters and professional craft alike, the likelihood for boating accidents is high, and all mariners deserve to have their rights protected.

If you were injured in a boating accident in the waters around Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., you need skilled representation to ensure your rights are protected. We understand the different types of boating accidents and how shipboard injuries occur. Please call or email the personal injury lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. today to learn how we can help.

Unseaworthy Vessel Accidents

An employer or captain has a responsibility to maintain a seaworthy ship. A ship that is unseaworthy is one that is unsafe under conditions likely to arise when navigating certain waters. A ship can be seaworthy in the Potomac, but unsafe when venturing out into Chesapeake Bay or beyond. Or a ship may be unseaworthy under all conditions.

To be seaworthy, a vessel must be:

• Designed to withstand likely conditions on the water
• Maintained in good repair
• Sufficient to the amount and type of cargo being transported
• Adequately staffed with a well-trained crew
• Provided with adequate safety equipment for all crew and passengers

Often, regular inspection is required for a vessel to be considered seaworthy. If a vessel is not considered seaworthy, it can be the basis of a lawsuit under the Jones Act following a boating accident.

Fishing Accidents

Commercial fishing can be a dangerous profession, with numerous opportunities for accidents. The pace on board a fishing boat can be frantic, and a vessel must be well-maintained, the crew well-trained in their procedures, to reduce the likelihood of accidents.

Common fishing accidents include:

• Falling overboard
• Falling on the deck
• Equipment accidents, including getting cut by processing equipment
• Fires or explosions

A mariner injured in a fishing accident need not prove negligence to qualify for maintenance and cure benefits.

Tug and Barge Accidents

When a boat is tugging another boat or a barge, it creates a potentially dangerous situation. Navigating two hulls requires skill and experience to avoid accidents. Inexperienced captains can misjudge a docking maneuver or mishandle the power of a tugboat.

Another danger is the lines, shackles, and winches involved in towing. Tow lines can sweep across the deck or break and snap back. The tow wires can be very dangerous when they break or when a mooring breaks. Tow lines are often so heavy that just handling them risks back injury. Winches and cranes on tugs and barges are heavy pieces of equipment that require constant maintenance. A failure can be dangerous or deadly.

In addition, the deck of a tugboat can be a very dangerous place in rough seas. Tugboats are relatively small, and they are designed not to capsize, but this comes at a cost. When a tugboat is in rough seas, it responds quickly to the waves, making an actively rolling deck that can lead to fatigue on the part of the mariners.

Because tugboats are in constant demand and crews are small, fatigue and overwork can be chronic problems, increasing the likelihood of accidents.

If you have been injured or lost a loved one in these or any other type of commercial boating accident, please contact the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. personal injury lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata, & Siegel, P.C. today for help in getting compensation for your injuries.

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