If you are a mariner working at sea, you most likely face very real dangers on the job every single day. What you might not know is that, under maritime law, mariners are not qualified for workers’ compensation. That can be a big deal if you suffer an injury while...
Maritime Law
Grouper/snapper fleets face the same dangers as other fishermen
Commercial fishermen have long known about the bountiful catches off the shores of Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico. Oysters and shrimp have long been the kings in water, but one must never forget that among the other bounties include finfish such as groupers and...
How Do Catastrophic Maritime Injuries Occur?
Maritime work can be a consistent and well-paying career for many workers, but this compensation sometimes comes with a price. Maritime work, by the nature of its setting, is inherently dangerous. Shipping vessels, dockworkers and oil industry workers may be subjected...
Ships’ flags are more than a sign of nationalism
Ships have passed through the state’s waterways and ports for hundreds of years, helping make it what it is today. It does not take long to note that many of these boats are not local, flying a United Nations-worthy array of flags. They have an eye-pleasing variety of...
In the midst of oyster season, remain aware of the dangers
Off Louisiana’s coast, oyster numbers have dwindled due to a number of factors. Those reasons include climate change, coastal restoration projects, land loss as well as Hurricane Katrina from 2005, the Deepwater Oil Spill in 2010 and last year’s floods along the...
Container ship fires often lead to injury
Anyone who has seen a loaded container ship likely wonders how the ship stacked with cargo stays afloat. But fires onboard are another real danger while at sea or in port. Not only can these fires cause a disastrous impact upon the environment, but they also pose a...
5 facts about workers’ rights
Some people really like to work with their hands – to feel tired after working a long, hard day. For those who work in oil refineries, on ships, on docks or in shipyards, they face increased risks of injury on the job. Their jobs come with added dangers, such as being...
Reality show highlights maritime law’s drug policy
Below Deck Mediterranean is a five-year-old reality show broadcast on the Bravo cable network. It follows the crew aboard a 150-foot yacht as they serve high-end clients and enjoy the job's perks. The show took a dramatic turn when longtime chief steward Hannah...
The shipping industry faces a growing crisis
There is a growing crisis at sea. It has persisted for months and has only gotten worse over that time. As Bloomberg recently reported, there are roughly 300,000 seafarers currently stranded at sea. Many of them have served well beyond the terms of their contracts,...
Good news for the maritime industry in 2020?
By most accounts 2020 has been a rough and stormy year for the maritime industry. Falling oil prices have played a major part, along with a global health crisis. As many are losing their jobs, it’s easy to feel like everything’s going the wrong direction. Still, amid...