Recent Blog Posts
Lawsuit Filed After 9 Marines Die During Training Exercise
A lawsuit has been filed against the manufacturer of an amphibious vessel after nine marines lost their lives during a training exercise. The amphibious vessel took on water and sank. While the lawsuit targets the manufacturer of amphibious assault vehicle (AAV), an internal investigation revealed that the Marines were undertrained to operate the vessel… Read More »
Florida Wins Major Victory Over The CDC
The State of Florida has won a major victory in court over the CDC which had a no sail order in effect since March of 2020. A federal judge saw fit to lift the ban on sailing after being won over by cruise industry attorneys arguing on behalf of lifting the ban. The CDC… Read More »
Amid Lawsuits, Royal Caribbean Postpones Cruise After COVID Infection
Florida just won a major battle against the CDC, one that Alaska also hopes to win to open up the cruise industry as quickly as possible. As the State of Florida claims victory in their fight to open up a multi-billion dollar industry that has been mothballed since March of last year, Royal Caribbean… Read More »
Battle Between CDC And Cruise Industry Over COVID Heats Up
There are only two things happening in the cruise industry right now. First, cruise lines are performing test sails to ensure that they are in accordance with health and safety recommendations while the pandemic wanes, but persists. Second, they are caught in the middle of a battle between Governor Ron DeSantis and the CDC…. Read More »
SEACOR Moves To Limit Liability After Vessel Capsizes Killing 13
If you are unfamiliar with this story, here is a brief recounting of the facts. 13 are missing or dead, and several more suffered life-threatening trauma after a SEACOR vessel capsized in rough waters. The owners of the vessel insisted on sailing in dangerous waters because they wanted to get a specific job done… Read More »
Underwater Rescue Team Faces Lawsuit After SEACOR Boat Collapse
A company responsible for rescuing victims of the SEACOR boat collapse has been sued by one of the victims’ families. The family claims that the underwater rescue company did not act “fast enough”. His body was found still inside the SEACOR vessel. His attorneys contend that he survived long enough inside the SEACOR vessel… Read More »
Contributory Negligence Applied To Seaman Following Orders
A seaman who was injured after following his captain’s orders filed a lawsuit against the company he worked for seeking damages for his injury. In this case, the plaintiff sustained an injury to his ankle after the captain ordered him and another seaman to change a worn-out stern line. According to the plaintiff, they… Read More »
What Is A Maritime Lawyer?
The law is complex, and among the most complex facets of the law lies jurisdiction. Which court has the standing to hear a case? As it turns out, this question is quite important because it establishes what rules the court will use to decide the case. For incidents that occur on the high seas,… Read More »
Remembering The SS Edmund Fitzgerald
One of the games lawyers play in law school is to dredge up fictional accounts or historical incidents and try them in a mock trial before an acting judge. The SS Edmund Fitzgerald is among the most famous shipwrecks in American history immortalized in lyrics and song by the great Gordon Lightfoot. So what… Read More »
Crewmembers Seriously Injured In Lifeboat Mishap
Two crew members suffered serious injuries while performing a drill in Vancouver’s English Bay. The crew members were aboard the lifeboat when it became unlatched from the ship and plunged into the water. The lifeboat was nearly sunk by the time rescue crews arrived. The Coast Guard rescued the crew members and described their… Read More »
