August 9, 2010

British Columbia Ferry Rams Dock - Six Passengers Injured

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One passenger was airlifted to a hospital in Vancouver with possible head injuries after a British Columbia Ferry, Queen of Nanaimo, carrying 207 passengers, rammed a ferry dock on Mayne Island near Victoria. Five other persons were also injured in Tuesday’s accident. The captain of the ferry capable of carrying up to 192 vehicles apparently was unable to put the vessel in reverse and tried to drop the ferry’s anchor before colliding with the dock. Subsequent investigation found ropes in the wheel of the ferry. The ferry had reportedly run over a crab pot during the ferry trip, and it is speculated that the line in the wheel resulted in other mechanical failure. The British Columbia ferries have had ongoing problems with crab fishermen along the ferry’s route. The ferries frequently encounter crab pots along the ferry route, resulting in lines becoming entangled in the ferry’s wheel. It is unknown whether or not the captain of the Queen of Nanaimo was able to alert the passengers of the impending collision before the accident happened. Investigation into the accident will be ongoing.

Posted by Beard Stacey & Jacobsen, LLP | | Email This Post

Posted In: Ferry Incidents

May 11, 2010

New York Staten Island Ferry Collision – Up To 40 People Injured

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Saturday, the ANDREW J. BARBERI, a Staten Island Ferry, slammed into a docking pier injuring up to 40 passengers. The accident is blamed on mechanical failure, and there is no indication that drug or alcohol was involved in the accident. The vessel was carrying 250 passengers at the time of the accident. The ANDREW J. BARBERI was the ferry that was involved in a 2003 accident that resulted in 11 deaths. Investigation into this recent crash by the National Transportation and Safety Board may take years to complete. Fortunately, the injuries to most of the passengers were thought to be minor; however, a number of passengers were taken to local hospitals.

Posted by Beard Stacey & Jacobsen, LLP | | Email This Post

Posted In: Ferry Incidents

October 12, 2009

PLEASURE BOAT CRASH KILLS 3, HURTS 4

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A pleasure boat crash near Long Island has left three dead and injured four others. The 40 foot pleasure boat ran aground South of the Hamlet of Wantagh, N.Y. Sea Tow, a company that assists boaters in emergency, contacted authorities following the accident.

The Coast Guard dispatched a rescue boat to the scene. It has been reported that two persons died at the scene and the third person at Nassau University Medical Center. The four other passengers were taken to local hospitals for treatment. Their conditions, as well as the cause of the accident is unknown.

Posted by Beard Stacey & Jacobsen, LLP | | Email This Post

Posted In: Ferry Incidents

August 4, 2009

Ferry Workers Receive $1.1M for Toxic Voyage

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Three Washington State Ferry workers were awarded a combined verdict of $1.1M for lung damage resulting from cleaning products and lack of instructions from the Washington State Ferries. The three workers, Tammy Brazeau, Alex Johnson and Natette Lewis, were cleaning a restroom with a substance called Hi ‘N Dry as well as bleach without the supervision or direction of a superior. The two substances came into contact, causing an eruption of white chlorine gas that caused respiratory irritation in the three workers. Brazeau, Johnson, and Lewis were all exposed to the gas, resulting in lung damage and respiratory conditions such as dyspnea, asthma, chronic rhinitis, rhinorrhea, pneumonia, allergies and acute bronchitis. Brazeau further claimed to suffer from depression and nightmares because of her injuries.
The three filed a lawsuit against the State of Washington, claiming that the vessel was unseaworthy and the State was negligent by failing to provide adequate instruction or direction in using the chemicals. In a response, the State claimed all safety requirements had been met and the workers were properly warned about the cleaning chemicals. According to the State, the bleach label indicated that it should not be mixed with other chemicals and that the State had conducted chemical hazard training for all employees. The court, however, sided with the plaintiffs, rendering separate judgments for each of the workers. The judgments totaled over $1.1M.
The law office of Beard Stacey Trueb & Jacobsen, LLP has successfully held employers accountable in numerous Jones Act cases, including cases involving the Washington State Ferries. The maritime lawyers at BSTJ, LLP represent injured mariners throughout the nation in claims involving the Jones Act and General Maritime Law. For any questions regarding maritime law or injuries sustained while working aboard a vessel, contact us at 206.282.3100 or visit our website at www.atsealawyer.com.

Posted by Beard Stacey & Jacobsen, LLP | | Email This Post

Posted In: Ferry Incidents

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