Brain Injuries Lead to Sleep Problems, Depression

An Australian study found people with Traumatic Brain Injury produce smaller amounts of melatonin, possibly causing sleep disorders. They also found patients with a brain injury were more likely to suffer from exactly depression.

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NTSB Takes on the Coast Guard: Need to Avoid Distracted Driving Extends to Coast Guard Crewmembers

Distracted Driving also known as Distracted Boating killed an 8 year-old boy in California last year. The NTSB is taking on Coast Guard policies about using wireless devices by crewmembers while a vessel is in navigation.

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Transocean Files Limitation of Liability in Houston, Texas Federal Court

Transocean filed for Limitation of Liability today in Houston, Texas in US District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division. Matthew Shaffer represents three clients who were injured in the Transocean Deepwater Horizon explosion on April 20.

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Staten Island Ferry Crashes Again Andrew J. Barberi | Ferry Crash Lawyers

The Staten Island ferry boat Andrew J. Barberi crashed into the St. George Terminal Pier at the Staten Island Ferry terminal Saturday morning, leaving at least 60 people injured. Fire official estimated 38 injured but 17 of those have been hospitalized. Two of the injured were police officers assigned to work on the ferry docks.

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Coast Guard Issues Safety Alert on Watertight Doors after Fatal Houston Boat Accident

In the wake of a recent push boat maritime accident in Houston, in which one crew member was killed, the Coast Guard has issued an alert, urging crew members and vessel owners to ensure that watertight doors are kept closed.

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What is a Blowout Preventer and Did it Cause the Transocean Explosion?

The MODU (mobile offshore drilling unit) Deepwater Horizon, owned by Transocean, exploded last Tuesday. Many experts are now saying that the explosion or series of explosions and ultimate sinking of the vessel was caused by a faulty, damaged, or defective blowout preventer. A blowout preventer (BOP) is a large valve at the top of an oil drilling well that may be closed by the drilling crew. By closing this valve (usually operated remotely via hydraulic actuators), the crew can avoid overpressure from fluids entering the wellbore and threatening the rig. By closing the BOP, the drilling crew usually regains control of the reservoir, preventing explosive pressure release, and procedures can then be initiated to increase the mud density until it is possible to open the BOP and retain pressure control. "Mud" is a term familiar to those of us who work consistently in offshore settings or on vessels. Mud refers to the drilling fluid used in drilling operations. The invention and use of BOPs were instrumental in the end of oil gushers, which were dangerous and costly.

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OSHA Guidelines on Preventing Injuries to Shipyard Workers

Workers in the shipbuilding, ship breaking or shipyard industries face a multitude of occupational hazards, including exposure to dangerous toxins like asbestos, dangerous fumes, electrocutions and electrical shocks, fall accidents, and fires. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has a new document out that lays down guidelines to minimize the effect of such hazards. The document called Safe Work Practices in Ship Breaking outlines measures that employers can take to prevent the risk of injuries to shipyard workers. The booklet encourages employers to take up safe practices during several ship breaking processes.

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Man Arrested for Making Hoax Bomb Call on Carnival Cruise Line

Passengers on board the Carnival Sensation got a much more sensational experience than they were promised, when a man on board announced that there was a bomb on the cruise liner. Fortunately, no bomb was found on the ship, and the man has been arrested. Fortunately, there was a happy ending to this drama. As maritime lawyers, we were quite pleased to note that the Carnival Sensation cruise line set off a well-prepared and well established plan of action, after first being intimated about the bomb threat. All law enforcement agencies responded as they should have. However, it does serve as a reminder that we live in interesting times. It's a wake up call that, although this threat was a damp squib, terrorist attacks are a very real danger to vessels.

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Crewmember Injured in Fall Accident on Container Ship off Texas Coast

A fall accident on a vessel in the Sabine Pass near Houston left a container ship crewmember with a broken leg. The Coast Guard had to be called to medevac the injured crew member. He apparently fell off the containership, the 700-foot Eurogracht. He fell about 18 feet, and suffered a compound fracture above the knee. The maritime lawyers at Schechter McElwee Shaffer and Harris represent injured maritime workers, including tankermen, container ship crews, freighter crews, crewmembers of commercial fishing vessels, oil rig and offshore workers, and cruise liner crews in the state of Texas and around the country.

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Tanker Crewman Injures Hand in Watertight Door

The Coast Guard medevaced a crewmember from a tanker off of the California coast this week. The master of the vessel British Oak, a 729-foot tanker vessel, requested a medevac after one of his crewmembers injured his hand in a water-tight door. A Coast Guard flight surgeon recommended the evacuation in efforts to prevent further damage to the injured hand. With the increased number of floating installations across the world, improvements are needed to ensure that serious incidents are prevented in the future and crewmembers are protected. If you have been injured while working offshore, please contact SMSH for more information about your case at info@smslegal.com. Our firm has been handling Jones Act Claims for over 45 years.

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Crew Member Missing after Ohio River Towboat Accident

Hopes are fading for the rescue of a towboat crewmember after his vessel sank in the Ohio River. The Coast Guard as well as water units from Cincinnati and Boone County, have been scouring the waters of the Ohio River, looking for the third crew member who continues to remain missing after the towboat sank on Sunday. Our thoughts are with the family of Christopher McAllister. We will have to wait until the Coast Guard comes out with a report to understand why the accident occurred. It seems that the towboat went down suddenly, and the crew members did not have much time to put emergency boat evacuation measures in place. The maritime lawyers at SMSH represent injured towboat operators, tugboat and barge workers, freighter and tanker crews, oil rig and offshore workers, cruise ship workers and other maritime workers in Texas and around the country.

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Maritime Safety Recommendations on NTSB Wish List

The National Transportation Safety Board has released Its 2010 Most Wanted List of Federal Safety Improvements. Maritime lawyers will be pleased to know that marine safety finds a special mention on the NTSB list. The agency has outlined two recommendations for the US Coast Guard with respect to marine safety: operators of domestic vessels should develop and implement Safety Management Systems to minimize the risks of accidents and minimize crew fatigue as a factor in maritime accidents.

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28 Maritime Pirates Taken into Custody Today by EU Naval Force

28 maritime pirates were taken into custody Friday by the European Union Naval Force after failed attacks targeting fishing vessels in the Indian Ocean. The piracy problem has been atop the headlines for many months, leaving maritime security on everyone's minds. As maritime lawyers, we know that seamen, especially those on vessels in pirate-infested waters continue to be at risk of an attack. Strong security measures need to be undetaken by shipping companies. Please contact Dennis McElwee concerning pirate attacks via e-mail at info@smslegal.com.

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Maritime Worker Electrocuted: Coast Guard Issues Safety Alert

The death of a crew member on a bulk carrier from electrocution has spurred the Coast Guard to issue a safety alert. The alert informs shipping companies about the importance of maintaining and repairing electrical systems on vessels to prevent accidents and fatalities. It is horrifying to think that in this day and age of technological advancement; a maritime worker actually gets killed by a broken light fixture that was left carelessly unattended. It seems like there was negligence here, and the seaman's family here, likely have options not just to file a Jones Act claim of negligence, but also a claim of unseaworthiness. The maritime lawyers at SMSH represent injured freighter and tanker crews, oil rig and offshore workers, cruise ship workers and other maritime workers in Texas and around the country.

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Malacca Strait Tankers at Risk for Terrorism

Tankers in the Malacca Strait may face terrorist attacks similar to the 2002 suicide attack on the French tanker Limburg.  Malaysia and Indonesia announced today that they are stepping up security in the Strait of Malacca pursuant to naval advisories in the area. 

The Malacca Strait is one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.  The  narrow waterway is used by tankers use to carry oil from the Middle East to Japan and China.  The strait is only 1.7 miles wide at its narrowest point, which makes it extremely vulnerable to terrorist attacks.  The 900-km long (550 miles) Malacca Strait carries about 40% of the world's trade with more than 50,000 merchant ships traveling it each year.

Wire services are quoting the Singapore Shipping Association as saying it has received an advisory from the Singapore Navy Information Fusion Center about "an indication that a terrorist group is planning attacks on oil tankers in the Malacca Strait" and that "this does not preclude possible attacks on other large vessels with dangerous cargo."

Terrorists could possibly use smaller vessels such as dinghies and speedboats to attack oil tankers.

Ships are advised to strengthen onboard security measures, and the Navy recommends that ships add lookouts and lighting, avoid fishing areas and maintain a good speed.

An attack that closed the Strait of Malacca or the Singapore port even temporarily could have a disproportionate impact on global trade.  "Maritime attacks offer terrorists an alternate means of causing mass economic destabilization," terrorism risk analyst Peter Chalk.

The possible after-effects of a terror attack could include additional raises in already high maritime insurance rates, shipments of vital commodities being severely disrupted, and a very scary idea of an oil supertanker being commandeered and turned into a floating bomb.

Despite the potential dangers and the very obvious terror warnings, maritime employer show no signs of backing down their travel in this area.  A spokeswoman for Japan's Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd, the country's second-biggest shipping firm, said the warning would not cause it to change operations. "I don't think we would change the route. Basically the area is dangerous, so we have been taking precautions."

On October 6, 2002, the Limburg (mentioned above) was carrying 397,000 barrels of crude oil from Iran to Malaysia, and was in the Gulf of Aden off Yemen to pick up another load of oil.  While offshore, an explosives-laden dinghy rammed the starboard side of the tanker and detonated.  The vessel caught on fire and approximately 90,000 barrels of oil leaked into the Gulf of Aden.   One crew member was killed, and 12 other crew members were injured.  The damage to the tanker was around $45 million dollars.

The Malacca Strait has suffered from long-term maritime piracy problems as well.  For more information on maritime piracy, please contact Dennis McElwee at Schechter, McElwee, Shaffer & Harris, LLP or click on our web site.  We have handled international maritime cases, including cases involving injuries on almost every waterway, for over 45 years.  If you need more information about issues related to maritime terrorism or maritime piracy, email us at info@smslegal.com.

Portland, Maine To Host US Largest Oil Spill Response Drill in March 2010

A major oil-spill response drill will take place off of the Eastern Promenade in Portland, Maine on March 24, 2010. This drill will involve hovering helicopters, Coast Guard boats, Maine Marine Patrol vessels, and as many as 1,000 emergency workers. Instructionals like this are useful in understanding the causes of spills like the recent Texas incident in the Port of Port Arthur that closed the Intercoastal Waterway. This spill was the largest spill in Texas since 1994. If you have questions about the environmental impact of an oil spill, exposure issues related to an oil or chemical spill, or any injury which occurred while working for a maritime employer, please contact SMSH at info@smslegal.com.

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Atchafalaya Channel Closed Off Post Dredge-Pipeline Accident

The Coast Guard is continuing investigations into a maritime accident that resulted in a pipeline rupture in the Atchafalaya Channel this week. The workers who were injured here, were fortunate. Any incident involving a gas pipeline can be catastrophic and result in explosions, fires and severe burns. We will be following the Coast Guard investigation closely here. The maritime lawyers at SMSH represent inured victims of maritime accidents, including offshore and oilrig accidents, accidents on commercial fishing vessels and cruise lines, and towboat and dredge accidents around the country.

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Cosco Busan Operator Fined $10 million in Bay Bridge Accident

A Hong Kong-based shipping company has been fined $10 million in the Cosco Busan ship collision of 2007. The company, Fleet Management has also been severely reprimanded for its failure to train its officers in safety and navigation procedures. The maritime attorneys at SMSH represent seamen inured add sea, including tanker crews, freighter crews, roustabouts, deckhands, waiters, entertainers and other cruise ship crews, oil rig workers, and up rig workers, commercial fishing vessel crew and other person who qualify for Jones CTA Seaman status. For more information, please email us at info@smslegal.com.

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Crewmember's Body Found After Tugboat Sinks in Port of Houston, Texas

The body of one crewmember of the tugboat J.R. Nichols was recovered yesterday, the day after the vessel sank near the Sims Bayou turning basin with five men on board.  The name of the crewmember has not been released.  The search included the Coast Guard and the Houston Police Dive Team.

The 56-foot tugboat owned by Kinder Morgan submerged in the Houston Ship Channel must be raised before it can be determined why it sank this week.  The tugboat will be raised no sooner than this weekend, and only then if the weather is acceptable.

Workers from the nearby LyondellBasell refinery helped rescue four crewmembers after the tug Wednesday evening in the Houston Ship Channel.  The four crewmembers who were rescued were treated for hypothermia.

The tug's sinking spilled hundreds of gallons of diesel fuel in the Houston Ship Channel, and a stretch of channel still remains closed during operations to recover the tug.  The captain of the Port of Houston closed the Houston Ship Channel from the Vopack facility to Sims Bayou in order to conduct the search.  Barriers are containing the spill.

For more information on the dangers of working at sea, litigation related to oil spills, or the legislation proecting offshore workers, please contact our press contact Stacey Burke at sburke@smslegal.com or (713) 524-3500.  If you have been injured while working for a maritime employer or have questions about your maritime rights, please contact Schechter, McElwee, Shaffer & Harris, LLP today at info@smslegal.com or toll-free at 1-800-282-2122.

Coast Guard Rescues Survivors of Tugboat Accident near Jamaica

Four crewmembers on a tug boat that sank off the Jamaica coast had a miraculous escape when the Coast Guard managed to reach and rescue them.

The Coast Guard command center in Miami received an EPIRB alert from the tug. The aircrew had been help on its way to help with relief operations in Haiti, when it was dispatched to locate the four crewmembers of the US-flagged tug Betty, clinging to a life craft. The four crew members were then hoisted onto a helicopter. The fifth crewmember of the tug was missing, and the Coast Guard suspended is search operations for him the next day.

There is no information on how the tug boat accident occurred, but it's safe to imagine that the four crew members had a terrifying experience. A major disaster at sea, like a sinking of the vessel, is never something that a seaman is completely prepared for. During an emergency, you need to rely on every ounce of training, to survive.  You also rely on the preparedness and experience of the vessel's captains and masters, who have a responsibility to ensure the survival of their crews.

There is much that can be done to ensure a crew's chances of surviving a major disaster at sea.

• Training drills must be conducted at regular intervals.
• There must be adequate numbers of life saving and firefighting equipment on the vessel.
• Equipment must be sufficient for each crewmember, and must fit each crewmember.
• Crewmembers must be trained to use this equipment.
• Emergency and evacuation processes must be in place, and must be reiterated through training and drills.

The maritime lawyers at Schechter McElwee Shaffer & Harris represent injured tugboat workers, offshore workers, tanker and freighter crews, oil rig and jack up rig crews and fishing vessel crews, in Texas and nationwide. Please contact us at (800) 282-2122 or email us at info@smslegal.com.

North Sea Offshore Rig Evacuated after Supply Ship Accident

The crewmembers of a semi submersible drilling rig in the North Sea had a terrifying few moments last week, when a disabled supply ship drifted up against the rig. The crewmembers of the drilling rig "Songa Dee" had to be evacuated after the 3,325 dwt "MV Far Grimshaders" suffered an engine failure while working close to the semi submersible rig. If you or someone you know has questions or needs advice about an injury that occurred offshore, please call upon the 45+ years of experience of our maritime trial lawyers. We can be reached toll-free at 1-800-282-2122 or via e-mail at info@smslegal.com.

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Fishing Boat Trawling for Prawns Collides with Large Cargo Ship Near Scotland

Fishing boat Spes Bona V's crewmembers escaped after colliding with a cargo vessel off the Isle of Arran, the seventh largest Scottish island. Four crew members were serving on board the fishing boat when it was hit. Contact us at info@smslegal.com or toll-free at (800) 282-2122 for free information about maritime injury law, longshore claims or maritime piracy issues. If you think you may have a maritime law claim, please call us. We are a maritime law firm and we will confidentially speak with you about your injury and answer your questions about maritime law. No matter where you live, SMSH can help you get the help you need.

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Shipping Group Calls for Strong Action Against Piracy

As maritime lawyers, we are representing some of the crew members of the Maersk Alabama after the pirate attack last year. A shipping group is now calling for stronger action against piracy in the Indian Ocean. It's important for seamen on a vessel attacked by pirates to understand that the attack was far from inevitable, and that they have a right to a safe vessel. The maritime lawyers at SMSH can help seamen with any questions they may have about their Jones Act rights. Contact us at 1-800-282-2122 or email us at info@smslegal.com.

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Port Arthur is the Largest Oil Spill in Texas Since 1994

Crews worked Sunday to protect two sensitive wildlife areas after a crude oil spill shut down parts of a major southeast Texas port. The tanker involved is owned by AET Tankers, a Malaysian company with offices in Houston, Texas. Right now, it is reported that AET will pay for most of the cleanup. If you are injured while working offshore, you must consult with an experienced maritime lawyer about your case. Our firm handles cases in all fifty states of the United States and around the world and has done so for over 45 years. We are the expert maritime attorneys at Schechter McElwee Shaffer and Harris, and we represent injured offshore workers. Contact us for a free legal consultation at 1-800-282-2122 or via email at info@smslegal.com.

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Port Arthur, Texas Ship Collision Closes Intercoastal Waterway

Three vessels collided in Port Arthur, Texas yesterday. Parts of the intracoastal waterway near the Port of Port Arthur, Texas were closed after the Saturday morning collision. About 450,000 gallons of crude oil spilled when a 600-foot oil tanker collided bound for Exxon Mobil Corp.'s Beaumont, Texas refinery with an outbound towing vessel pushing a loaded barge. The tanker's power had gone out and the captain was no logner able to control the movements of the large vessel. The companies that own and operate the vessels involved in this collision as well as the United States Coast Guard are in the process of investigating the causes of the accident. Whoever caused the collision may be held liable for property damage to any vessels or equipment and any injuries caused. Our firm has handled many injury cases stemming from vessel collisions and recently concluded a six-figure settlement for an injury that occurred when two vessels collided in the Mississippi River near New Orleans, Louisiana. If you are injured while working offshore, you must consult with an experienced maritime lawyer about your case. Our firm handles cases in all fifty states of the United States and around the world and has done so for over 45 years. We are the expert maritime attorneys at Schechter McElwee Shaffer and Harris, and we represent injured offshore workers. Contact us for a free legal consultation at 1-800-282-2122 or via email at info@smslegal.com.

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