People in New York who work in the maritime industry know that commercial boating can be dangerous at times. The need for strong and clear safety procedures is essential in order to protect the lives of all crew and others who may be onboard a vessel. Workboat reported on some lessons gleaned from accident reports published in a Safer Seas Digest of 2017 by the National Transportation Safety Board. These lessons show the ongoing need to keep safety a priority.
Muscoot Reservoir capsizing kills two men
The suggestion to go out and enjoy a day of boating is likely rarely made with any sort of ill intent. Rather, when Manhatten residents are involved in boating accidents, it is typically due to some unforeseen circumstance. Yet whether or not one intended for any passengers of their boat to be injured, the owner of a vessel (or the organizer of a boat outing) may assume responsibility for their safety. The seaworthiness of the vessel being used and the potential dangers posed by the conditions at the time of the excursion are all factors one should consider before inviting others to participate in a boating adventure.
Is your vessel seaworthy?
Joke may often be made about the seaworthiness of a vessel, yet when it comes to safety of yourself and your fellow maritime workers (as well as the contractual promises made to clients), the condition of your boat is no laughing matter. Most in Manhattan would likely assume that a ship would not put to sea if it were not seaworthy, yet it should be remembered that ship owners and freight carriers are principally engaged in the business of commerce, and that their goals are the delivery of goods. If this goal superseded ensuring the safety of your vessel, the they open themselves up to liability.
What are some tips for first-time boaters?
Safety must be a crucial concern when boating. This is especially true for first-timers, who will lack the experience to properly deal with unexpected occurrences on the water, some of which may be highly dangerous. In order to prevent accidents from occurring, Crownline offers the following tips.
Nearly 300 people have fallen off cruise ships since 2000
When you sign up to take a trip on a cruise ship, you expect blue skies, calm seas, a tropical drink in your hand and a lot of rest and relaxation. No one who takes a cruise-ship vacation expects their trip to end in tragedy.
The limits of maintenance and cure benefits
When those whose work involves sailing out of Manhattan's ports are injured during their voyages, their concerns typically center on three important elements: wages, maintenance and cure. One might think that an employer can argue that while a seafarer is not working that they do not deserve to be paid, federal law requires that any wages that would have been earned after their injuries occurred be paid out. This obligation to pay unearned wages continues until the voyage ends.
