Working at sea can be exciting, varied and financially rewarding. Any seagoing vessel, whether private or commercial, needs people with diverse skill sets and aptitudes for its crew. Each seaman plays their own role in keeping the ship functional and contributing to...
Year: 2016
Oil tanker safety tips
Oil tankers bring valuable resources to New York but working on them is not without some form of hazard. At , we know that the wrong action can result in the death of a loved one or in severe injuries. If you work on an oil tanker, you...
Three companies sued over seaman’s amputated foot
There is no question that working on a ship is dangerous. Ropes that contain thousands of pounds of pressure, heavy equipment that needs to be moved, slippery decks, narrow stairwells and deep tanks all pose risks of injury to those who work aboard. While some...
The Jones Act and private insurance: What you should know
As a seaman or dock worker in New York, you probably already have some form of private insurance in place. If you are injured at work, you may be told by your employer to just use that insurance to receive medical treatment. At , we see...
Underwater welders and the risks they face
Marine structures are highly susceptible to rust partly because of the higher concentration of salt in the environment. As such, underwater welders are in high demand and this profession can provide New Yorkers with a lucrative income. Along with the good pay however,...
What is the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act?
Maritime, offshore and longshore workers fall into a separate category than land workers. These groups of workers are entitled to different workers' compensation benefits than your typical worker. In order to ensure safe and fair working conditions at sea, on marinas...
Injured seaman seeks compensation against ship owner
An injury to a worker on a ship in New York is not the same as suffering an injury while working a job on land. For one thing, the person must use maritime laws to seek appropriate compensation. This gives the injured seaman the right to sue the owner of the vessel...
Misconceptions about The Jones Act
The U.S. Congress long ago recognized the difficulty of enforcing land-based protections for workers on the high seas. As a result, the federal government established the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, often referred to as the Jones Act. This law outlines the rights and...
What are the symptoms of frostbite?
Working on a fishing boat is not easy. You have to continuously deal with heavy equipment, rough seas, slippery decks and bad weather. While other New Yorkers often spend their winter days in warm buildings, you must brave the cold while hauling in crab, lobster,...
Tugboats: Iconic but risky work environments
If you look through a collection of old and new pictures of life on the water around New York City, you cannot fail to notice the tugboats. These small but tough little vessels are responsible for towing larger ships out to sea and into port, but they can also be a...