One Crewmember Unaccounted for after Singapore Maritime Accident

At least one crewmember remains unaccounted for after a vessel sank off Singapore waters in March. The accident occurred earlier this month, when the Indonesian-registered vessel sank after it collided with a ferry in Singapore waters.

A massive search operation was launched for the unaccounted crewmember. However, those efforts were unsuccessful.

According to the Singapore Maritime and Port Authority, the vessel Budi Jasa 18 collided with the Seahawk which was carrying 200 passengers at the time. The accident occurred in the West Keppel fairway. At least 8 people on the Seahawk suffered injuries in the accident.

The Budi Jasa 18 capsized, and the crewmembers were thrown into the water. At least 5 crewmembers on the vessel were rescued, while one crewmember was reported missing.

There isn’t a lot of information available about the circumstances surrounding his accident. However, crew errors can play a major role in such maritime collisions.

Typically, the Jones Act covers a vast type of variety of vessels, from tankers, and cargo vessels, to smaller fishing vessels and tugboats. However, the type of vessel is not the main criterion for whether workers on the vessel qualify for benefits under the Jones Act. Of greater importance is the worker’s relationship with the vessel.

Questions about the workers employment, and the depth of his association with the vessel- whether he was a full-time permanent crew member of the vessel, or a contractor or was working on the vessel on a freelance basis – are likely to be raised when determining the status of an injured worker under the Jones Act.

If you are an injured maritime worker, who believes he is eligible for compensation under the Jones Act, speak with an experienced Jones Act lawyer at our firm.