On Sunday June 11th at approximately 2:25 p.m., U.S. Coast Guard Sector Columbia River watchstanders received a call from a witness reporting that a boat had overturned. Two individuals entered the water east of Tongue Point on the Columbia River, near Astoria. Responding promptly to the distress call was a…
Maritime Injury Law Blog
Cruise Ship Crew and Passengers Evacuated After Fire
On June 5, 2023, an engine room fire on UnCruise Adventures’ WILDERNESS DISCOVERER prompted the evacuation of crew members and passengers. U.S. Coast Guard watchstanders in Juneau received a call at 7:30 a.m. stating that a fire had broken out aboard the vessel, and help was needed. U.S. Coast Guard…
Alaska Ferry Hubbard Begins Service
After 17 years, the HUBBARD, an Alaska-built ferry, embarked on its maiden voyage. The ferry, which measures 280-feet long, took an additional four years to enter service due to the need for crew quarters, an amenity that was not part of the vessel’s original design. U.S. Coast Guard regulations limit…
3 Rescued After Boat Sinks near Coos Bay
The U.S. Coast Guard rescued three people on Monday morning, May 29th, after their vessel sank in the waters off Cape Arago beach, about 15 miles southwest of Coos Bay. At about 8 a.m. the U. S. Coast Guard received a distress call reporting that a fishing boat was taking…
Violations and Safety Concerns Plague F/V Pacific Producer
The 77- year-old F/V PACIFIC PRODUCER, which operates in the waters of the Pacific, has recently come under scrutiny due to numerous violations and safety issues. The 169-foot long vessel has been docked in Tacoma on the Foss Waterway since August of 2022, after smashing into a private pier. As…
Dangers of Cold Water
The weather has turned warm, and in many places, high temperatures are breaking records. The air may be warm, but the water is still cold. In Washington State, the average summer water temperature is just 55 degrees. This may not sound that cold, but it can be deadly. Warm air…
2023 Seattle Fishermen’s Memorial Service
The 2023 Fishermen’s Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, May 7th at 2 p.m. at Fishermen’s Terminal. Please mark your calendar for this special event to honor those who have been lost at sea. The Seattle Fishermen’s Memorial is a charitable organization dedicated to promoting safety in the fishing…
Fire Aboard Trident Seafoods F/V Kodiak Enterprise
The 276-foot F/V KODIAK ENTERPRISE caught fire early Saturday morning April 8th while moored at Trident Seafoods in the Tacoma Hylebos Waterway. The vessel was still burning as of Monday, April 10th. The U.S. Coast Guard, The Tacoma Fire Department, the Washington Department of Ecology, the Environmental Protection Agency, and…
National 406 Day and 8 EPIRB Tips
April 6th is National 406 Day. It is easy to remember, as the date (04/06) corresponds to the 406 MHz frequency used by these devices to transmit digital signals to satellites. These beacons are considered by many in the maritime trades to be the best life insurance available. And in…
Pacific Titan Crew Member Medevaced after Head Injury
The U.S. Coast Guard Sector Juneau command center received a call on March 21st at approximately 3:40 p.m. from the captain of the towing vessel PACIFIC TITAN. It was reported that during a towing operation, a 30-year-old crewmember had sustained a head injury. The vessel was located near Pennock Island,…