Maritime Law Blog

Every year, seamen’s lives are lost because their vessel is not adequately equipped with appropriate life-saving devices and emergency equipment.

 
Vessel owners are required by law to provide life-saving equipment to all seamen on the vessel in case of an emergency. In the event of a fire, a sinking or other accident that requires crewmembers to abandon ship, the lack of properly functioning life saving equipment may be a death sentence. If the vessel owner does not provide this equipment, he is guilty of negligence.

 
Vessel owners must provide the equipment that gives crew members a chance of survival.

 
• The equipment must be properly designed and in good repair.

• There must be adequate life-saving devices on the vessel for each crewmember on board.

• There must be life saving gear that fits each crew member.

• Crew members must be trained in what to do in the event of an emergency and in how to use all life-saving equipment.

• Life saving equipment must be inspected regularly to ensure it is in working condition.

 
Failure to provide adequate life-saving equipment that is in good repair makes the vessel owner liable if a crew member is injured or loses his life. To learn more about the responsibilities of vessel owners and how to file an unseaworthiness claim for your offshore injuries, contact the Jones Act attorneys at the New Orlean’s based The Young Firm.