Serving as the captain of a ship is as safety-critical as being the pilot of an airplane. Captains need to sometimes make split-second decisions that can affect the safety of everyone on board. Their experience and education will help them decide how to protect their...
When you’re working on or around vessels, one of the things to consider is if you have and can use Stop Work Authority (SWA). Stop Work Authority is a program that provides contracted workers and employees with a right to stop working if they perceive behaviors or...
Millions of injuries and fatalities from maritime accidents are reported every year. For most of these incidents, fatigue among workers is a leading cause. Workers in the maritime industry are sometimes subjected to irregular and extended shifts, given the nature of...
Once you accept a maritime job, you know that there is risk involved. You may earn enough to justify the risk involved, and you may also trust that your employer will do everything in their power to keep you safe. While most companies operating maritime businesses do...
When someone goes missing at sea, the search and rescue teams work tirelessly to find them. But what happens if they aren't found? How long do their loved ones have to wait before they can declare them dead? Families need closure, and they may also need financial...
No matter your job responsibilities, age or experience level, sleep is an equalizing factor for anyone aboard a maritime vessel. From those struggling with insomnia, broken sleep patterns or natural circadian lowness, being awake and alert is a key factor in...
The California coastline is home to some of the most successful commercial shipping operations on the West Coast. Thousands of people enjoy competitive wages in the fishing industry. However, those wages come with significant risks for workers. Federal data shows that...
Perhaps you were on your way to work on a small boat operated by a professional when the storm blew up and you got swept overboard. Perhaps it was contact with swinging supplies that threw you off the side of an oil rig. When someone working out on the open ocean has...
Commercial divers don’t have the luxury of fish spotting or calm sightseeing in the reefs. Instead, these divers are tasked with maintenance, inspection, construction and repair -- among other duties -- at a myriad of locations from offshore to lakes and dams. When...
There are cases when two ships are going to cross paths and it is clear that there could be a collision. Ideally, the ship that does not have the right of way will see the danger in time to move or alter its course before the crash happens. Naturally, this doesn't...
