Alaska Maritime Lawyers
Helping Those Harmed by Unseaworthy Conditions

The crews on sea-faring vessels live dangerous lives and dedicate themselves to professions that are filled with risks.  Any crew member understands this before boarding any vessel, but laws have been put in place that are designed to provide some form of protection for these workers.  One federal maritime law helps to provide this protection by requiring the owner of a vessel to provide a seaworthy environment for the crew who will work on it.  Failure to do so can lead to a finding of liability for damages that would serve to compensate a crew member for his or her injuries.

What Constitutes an ‘Unseaworthy’ Vessel?

Generally, deciding whether a vessel was seaworthy is a question of fact that should be analyzed initially by experienced Alaska maritime lawyers.  Overall, a vessel must be fit for its intended purpose and it must contain reasonably safe equipment and a crew that is competent.  Any failure to provide this safety can lead to legal claims being filed against the owner.  Examples of an unseaworthy vessel can include:

• Faulty safety equipment
• Lack of necessary safety equipment
• Inadequate or understaffed crew
• Lack of minimum training
• Working unreasonably long hours
• Failure to implement and follow safety protocols

The list above are just a few examples of what could lead to a conclusion that a vessel is not seaworthy and therefore a finding of liability against a vessel owner if a crew member is injured.

Potential Damages Resulting from an Unseaworthy Vessel

If a crew member is injured on a vessel and it’s decided that this injury or illness was the result of the unseaworthy character of that vessel, then the injured crew member can recover damages that compensate him or her for past and future medical expenses, lost income, loss of future income, past and future pain and suffering and in some cases partial attorney’s fees under the laws of Alaska.

Of course, there are complications that can arise when these situations unfold, particularly if the vessel at issue was under a bareboat or a demise charter.  In this context, the charterer would likely be liable for the damages incurred depending on the specific facts of the case as they are analyzed by an experienced Alaska maritime lawyer.

Overall, those who have been harmed because of an unseaworthy vessel do have legal rights and options.  If this includes you or someone you love, you need to seek the help of experienced Alaska maritime lawyers who have been fighting for the rights of injured clients successfully for many years.  Contact Barber & Banker today to schedule a free initial consultation.