The Jones Act may affect how you resolve an employment issue if you work onboard a vessel. The Act provides a range of protections, but it may also disqualify you from certain provisions of federal labor laws such as overtime pay. As reported by Reuters, a 2021 U.S....
Admiralty And Maritime Law
What is the Death on the High Seas Act?
If you have a loved one who is working on a vessel and that person dies on the job, you may have protection under the Death on the High Seas Act. This legislation allows you to collect benefits if your situation meets the criteria. Marine Insight explains the idea...
Autonomous technology may reduce maritime accidents
Human error causes many maritime accidents. One possible solution to this problem is autonomous technology. How can autonomous technology reduce maritime accidents and injuries? How autonomous technology can help Human limitations in situational awareness and...
Are you eligible for injury compensation under the LHWCA?
As a Tennessee resident who makes a living working on the water, you face heightened injury risks compared to workers in many other professions. However, depending on circumstances, you may also have recourse if your injury is serious enough to disable you and make...
What causes anchor chains to twist?
If you work as a bosun or skilled shipman, you undoubtedly have assisted with hundreds of anchor drops and retractions. Depending on the size of your ship, its anchor chains may weigh thousands of tons. Keeping your hands and other limbs far from the chain helps to...
Cruise safety lessons learned from the Costa Concordia disaster
In 2012, the cruise ship Costa Concordia sank in shallow water off the coast of an Italian island. As a group, cruise ships are incredibly safe vessels, yet the Costa Concordia incident brings up the need for passengers to keep safety in mind and prepare for the...
Where are the most dangerous places on a river cruise ship?
If you are thinking about taking a cruise on the Mississippi river or another inland waterway, you are part of a growing number of adventure seekers. In fact, according to USA Today, river trip purchases have doubled in the last year alone. While river cruise ships...
Understanding the Jones Act
Maritime laws can differ from those on land. The Jones Act came into effect in 1920 after World War I, and it provides protections for those who work on maritime vessels. There are certain eligibility requirements that a vessel needs to meet in order to qualify as a...
What are the employee reporting requirements under the LHWCA?
The Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act is the maritime option for injured workers. It is the alternative to the traditional workers' compensation program that does not cover this industry. The US Department of Labor explains the LHWCA is a federal law...
Dangers associated with maritime longshore work
If you work in the maritime industry in western Kentucky, you may have seen or dealt with accidents firsthand. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the fatality rate for workers involved with water transportation is 4.7 times higher than the overall average...