The Jones Act is a key component of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920. This is an important safeguard for seafarers in the United States. It provides safeguards for people who work on vessels that operate in navigable waters under United States laws. They must be U.S.-flagged vessels that are on rivers, lakes and oceans for foreign or interstate commerce… The post What is the Jones Act? first appeared on Tabak Mellusi & Shisha LLP ..read more

Oftentimes, people focus primarily on injury risks and social concerns when discussing the hazards of maritime employment. However, there are also long-term health concerns associated with offshore professions. Maritime workers can potentially develop chronic medical conditions because of their work arrangements. They may then have a complicated process ahead of them as they seek compensation for their medical challenges. The following are some of the chronic or long-term medical issues most commonly associated with work in the maritime sector. Increased cancer risk A variety of different mari ..read more

The shipping industry is often associated with helicopters and semitrucks, but there is another option that’s often used to move goods – ships. While some people use the term barge and cargo ships interchangeably, they are two vastly different types of vessels. For example, a cargo ship can move under its own power, but that’s not the case with barges, which require tugboats to move. Workers on barges often face hazardous conditions, and it’s up to the captain and vessel owner to ensure these workers can remain safe. Yet, accidents can happen even under the most safety-conscious circumstances ..read more

It takes hundreds of different professionals to effectively operate a cruise ship. From chefs and maintenance professionals to security workers, there are dozens of different types of workers employed on cruise ships. Cruise ship employees enjoy travel to exciting destinations and sometimes competitive wages, depending on what services they provide. Unfortunately, they also have to deal with some degree of risk because of their work. Cruise ship employees who get hurt on the job usually do not qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. Instead, they must pursue a more complex claim based on f ..read more

Maritime work is demanding and can often take a toll on mental health. The nature of the job involves long hours, physical labor and exposure to various hazards. All of this can contribute to stress, anxiety and other mental health challenges. In such a high-pressure environment, it’s crucial for maritime workers to have access to mental health resources and support. One effective way to provide this support is through Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training. Recognizing signs of mental health issues MHFA training can equip maritime workers with the knowledge to identify signs of mental health ..read more

A cruise is the ultimate vacation for many adults. Many cruises offer all-inclusive packages that can be quite cost-effective while simultaneously taking the pressure of planning for daily needs off of vacationers. Instead of needing to investigate restaurants and make reservations at popular locations, cruise passengers can show up to any of the restaurants onboard and enjoy food and drinks to their hearts’ content in many cases. They don’t have to arrange for transportation, as the ship provides that. They can simply sit back and enjoy traveling to a variety of different beautiful destinatio ..read more

Blue-water mariners are employees who go out on the open ocean as part of their regular job responsibilities. They may work on container ships, oil transportation vessels or even cruise ships. They may face a host of different hazards on the job, from injuries caused by heavy machinery to near-drowning incidents. When a blue-water mariner gets hurt on the job, they do not have the standard protection of workers’ compensation coverage. Instead, they may have to file a lawsuit based on the Jones Act. The Jones Act allows an injured mariner to request “cure and maintenance” from an employer for i ..read more

Container ships are large and therefore relatively efficient. They can transport huge amounts of cargo for a variety of clients simultaneously. They also provide a stable source of income for the maritime workers tasked with operating the vessel or providing security services. However, as with any job, working on a container ship comes with some degree of personal risk. Employees can end up hurt and in need of compensation. Often, they will need to go to court because standard workers’ compensation coverage will not apply in an offshore environment or when a ship is docked at a harbor. There a ..read more

If someone had to create a list of what they thought were the biggest safety concerns for offshore workers, they would very likely not include the most prevalent risk. People might think of oil and gas workers and may then rush to the conclusion that explosions for fires are the biggest safety concern. On the other hand, if they think of professional fishermen and others who work on vessels, they might think of drowning incidents, usually preceded by someone falling overboard, as the biggest safety risk. Obviously, explosions, fires, drownings and similar incidents are reasons for concern amon ..read more

Making a living in New Jersey shouldn’t have to cost you your health. Yet, many container ship workers face daily dangerous conditions that put them at risk for serious injury, illnesses or even death. Fortunately, almost all container ship fatalities are preventable with the proper safety measures. Use the correct loading equipment If there is any cargo that you need to load onto a container ship, you must use the correct loading and unloading equipment. This can include cranes, forklifts, stackers and other tools depending on the situation. If your workplace has a single-shot container loade ..read more