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Jones Act Safety Rules
- Common Equipment Accidents aboard Commercial Barges
- Common Vessels that May Be Unseaworthy in Jones Act Claims
- 7 Conditions that May Signal an Unseaworthy Vessel in Jones Act Claims
- Offshore Rigs on Gulf Outer Continental Shelf Increased End of 2011
- Are You Safe in Your Louisiana Shipyard Abrasive Blasting Job?
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Posted on 9/25/2009
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Jones Act Safety Rules
- Jones Act Maritime Safety Rules for Barges to Prevent a Ship Accident (Part B)
- Jones Act Maritime Safety Rules for Barges to Prevent a Ship Accident (Part A)
- Defining Unseaworthy Vessels for Jones Act Claims (Part B)
- Defining Unseaworthy Vessels for Jones Act Claims (Part A)
- The Real Dangers of Working at Abrasive Blasting in Louisiana Shipyards
Jones Act Safety Rules
Are You Safe Working on a Gulf Coast Vessel? NTSB Says NO
As a Gulf Coast Jones Act seaman, you deserve the best in safety precautions. But sometimes these precautions are not taken and accidents happen. In November 2011, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued new safety recommendations in reaction to a three-vessel collision in Port Arthur, Texas.On January 23, 2010 the oil tanker Eagle Otome collided with the cargo vessel Gull Arrow, which was docked and unloading. Then the outbound towboat, the Dixie Vengeance, moving two barges, hit the Eagle Otome and breached the starboard ballast tank. At this point, oil began to flow and a total of 862,344 gallons were released from the tank.
Fortunately, there were no injuries in this mishap, but it caught the attention of the NTSB, which investigated the incident. In their investigation they found the following causes:
- Mariner Fatigue: The first pilot of the Eagle Otome was suffering from fatigue, due to an untreated case of sleep apnea.
- Pilot Oversight: The second pilot of the Eagle Otome did not respond to a radio call, which distracted the first pilot.
- Bridge Control Ergonomics: Both pilots were found to fail at effective bridge resource management.
- Waterway Safety: The Jefferson and Orange County Board of Pilot Commissioners was singled out for lack of oversight.
As a result, a great number of recommendations were handed down to the U.S. Coast Guard, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, the Sabine Pilots Association and the governors of Gulf Coast states. All of these recommendations targeted the systems and oversight already in place and not being used.
While no injuries occurred, the situation was potentially disastrous for the vessels’ crews, who are guaranteed “a safe place to work” under the Jones Act. The NTSB acted to protect you, the Jones Act seaman.
If you have been injured in a Gulf Coast vessel collision, you have the right to sue those responsible for your safety. Contact The Young Firm, New Orleans Jones Act law specialists today to learn your rights. Call us today toll free at 866-938-6113.
Although we are based in Louisiana, we will pursue your Jones Act injury claim anywhere in the United States. Don’t wait to get started on the road to both physical and financial recovery.
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