Maritime Injury Law Blog

Published on: July 18, 2023

Roger Fitzgerald, National Fisherman Columnist Passes

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Roger Fitzgerald, an 85-year-old maritime writer. He was best known for his column titled “In Search of the Simple Life”. His column brought joy and amusement to commercial fishermen spanning from Seattle to the Bering Sea and beyond. The cause of his death was heart failure.

Over the course of 25 years, his writings in the Alaska Fisherman’s Journal and National Fisherman chronicled the remarkable transformation within the Alaska fishing industry. This evolution witnessed the shift from traditional wooden boats and iced fish to the advent of state-of-the-art factory trawlers.

Fitzgerald skillfully blended humor and admiration as he showcased a diverse cast of maritime characters. Among them were the Samuelsons and the Knutsens, skilled captains of historic halibut schooners that had been sailing the seas since the 1920s, and Sea Lion Murphy, a seasoned seinerman hailing from Cordova, Alaska.

Published on: June 27, 2023

Titan Loss: Marine Board of Investigation Assembled

by Nigel Stacey

Oceangate_Titan-300x206 The U.S. Coast Guard has launched an investigation into the “catastrophic implosion” of the privately-owned underwater vessel TITAN. The vessel was destroyed while en route to the wreckage site of the TITANTIC, resulting in the tragic loss of all five individuals on board.

On Sunday, June 18, 2023, the TITAN lost contact with the crew aboard the POLAR PRINCE research vessel after approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. Following an exhaustive search and rescue operation, the remains of the TITAN submersible were discovered on the ocean floor, about 500 meters away from the bow of the TITANTIC. The loss of the TITAN submersible and its five occupants has prompted the U.S. Coast Guard to assemble a Marine Board of Investigation (MBI).

The MBI is the highest level of investigation within the U.S. Coast Guard. Once the investigation is finalized, the Board will compile a report containing evidence, established facts, conclusions, and recommendations. Captain Jason Neubauer has served as the chief of the Office of Investigations & Analysis at U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters since July 2014. He is responsible for overseeing marine casualty investigations, suspension and revocation cases involving credentialed mariners, violation investigations and data analysis for the U.S. Coast Guard’s prevention operations.

Published on: June 20, 2023

U.S. Coast Guard Welcomes New Commander

by Nigel Stacey

On June 15th, the U.S. Coast Guard Base Seattle celebrated the change of command ceremony hosted by U.S. Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound.

During the event, Capt. Mark McDonnell assumed command of Sector Puget Sound, relieving Capt. Patrick Hilbert from his position as the commander.

The ceremony was overseen by Rear Admiral Mel Bouboulis, who serves as the commander of the 13th U.S. Coast Guard District. This district is responsible for overseeing Sector Puget Sound, which encompasses the Pacific Coast of Washington State to the eastern border of Montana. Sector Puget Sound is also responsible for managing a 125-mile maritime international boundary with Canada as well as maintaining relationships with Tribal Nations.

Published on: June 13, 2023

Two Pulled from Columbia River After Boat Capsizes

by Nigel Stacey

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 U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Astoria MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew and a U.S. Coast Guard Station Cape Disappointment 29-foot Response Boat-Small II crew.

By 3 p.m., the helicopter crew reached the scene and located a person stranded on top of a dayboard channel marker. A rescue swimmer was deployed and retrieved the individual, who was hoisted from the water to the helicopter.

Published on: May 30, 2023

Alaska Ferry Hubbard Begins Service

by Nigel Stacey

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 ferry crew members to a maximum of 12 hours of work per day.

Captain Darwin Jensen, commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Juneau, presented the HUBBARD two captains with a certificate of inspection, marking the final step before passenger service could commence. Officials from the Alaska Marine Highway System and the state Department of Transportation Commissioner were on hand for the presentation ceremony.

The HUBBARD along with the TAZLINA are the first and only two ferries built in Alaska at a cost of $60 million each. This Alaska ferry project was conceived in 2006 with the intention of providing transportation for day trips from Juneau to Haines and Skagway. Former Governor Frank Murdowski had planned to extend the Juneau Road north to reduce the 14-hour journey, but that plan was eventually abandoned.

Published on: May 30, 2023

3 Rescued After Boat Sinks near Coos Bay

by Joseph Stacey

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 on water. A 47-foot motor lifeboat and a helicopter launched from Coos Bay and North Bend. Responders were at the scene within 30 minutes, where they found three people in the water, all wearing life jackets.

A U.S. Coast Guard rescuer was lowered onto the motor lifeboat and helped administer first aid to the three people. Victims showed signs of hypothermia and were treated by first responders.

Published on: May 23, 2023

Violations and Safety Concerns Plague F/V Pacific Producer

by Nigel Stacey

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 concerns over the safety of the men and women who work in the fishing industry mount, it is crucial to shed light on the alleged wrongdoings surrounding this vessel. Accountability and improved practices within the fishing industry are imperative.

Labor Issues

A joint investigation by OSHA and the U.S. Coast Guard found the crew living in deplorable conditions while working for an operator with a history of workplace violations. The F/V PACIFIC PRODUCER has been implicated in labor violations. Several crew members have come forward, alleging harsh working conditions, long hours, inadequate safety measures, and unfair wages. These reports highlight the exploitation faced by workers onboard the vessel.

Published on: May 16, 2023

Dangers of Cold Water

by Joseph Stacey

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 temperatures can create a false sense of security for fishermen, boaters, and recreational swimmers.

When a human body enters cold water, it goes into shock. This “cold shock” can cause dramatic changes in blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing. Cold water drains heat from the body up to 4 times faster than cold air. Immersion in cold water without a lifejacket or immersion suit can be life-threatening for even the most experienced swimmers.

Published on: April 18, 2023

2023 Seattle Fishermen’s Memorial Service

by Joseph Stacey

The 2023 Fishermen’s Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, May 7^th 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 fleets and easing the emotional pain and financial burden of education for surviving family members of fishermen lost at sea. Professional grief support is available to grieving families.

This event is an opportunity for the community to gather for a dedication, remembrances, and the installation of tiles at the Memory Wall.

Published on: April 11, 2023

Fire Aboard Trident Seafoods F/V Kodiak Enterprise

by Joseph Stacey

The 276-foot F/V KODIAK ENTERPRISE caught fire early Saturday morning April 8^th while moored at Trident Seafoods in the Tacoma Hylebos Waterway. The vessel was still burning as of Monday, April 10^th. The U.S. Coast Guard, The Tacoma Fire Department, the Washington Department of Ecology, the Environmental Protection Agency, and several other agencies have responded to this incident.

It is reported that the fire spread throughout the ship, which authorities believe has an estimated 19,000 pounds of freon and 55,000 gallons of diesel onboard. It was reported that the fire had progressed to within 100 feet of the freon tanks.

These vessel freon tanks are designed with pressure sensitive valves that release gas in emergency situations, such as overheating. Freon gas can be toxic in confined spaces or when inhaled in large quantities, but the release of the gas into the atmosphere isn’t expected to put the public at risk.