Idaho Man Injured in Accident on Commercial Fishing Vessel
An Idaho man had to be airlifted to a hospital after he sustained serious injuries in an explosion on a commercial fishing vessel.
The crew member, Joshua Gifford, was working in the cabin of a 24-foot fishing vessel on the Columbia River when the explosion occurred. Gifford sustained serious injuries, and had to be airlifted to a hospital.
Explosions on a fishing vessel may be the result of a gas tank leak. Activities that involve the use of electrical tools, like grinders, may cause sparks that can trigger an explosion. An explosion on a vessel can quickly lead to a fire, compounding the situation further. Fires on a vessel are harder to put out, because the vessel cannot take on a lot of water without facing the risk of sinking.
Risks Aboard Commercial Fishing Vessels
Crew members on commercial fishing vessels are at risk everyday. There may be complex processing equipment on a fishing vessel, and the decks may be covered with grease and fish gurry. Commercial fishing crew members may be at risk from the elements of the weather. In fact, until recently the job of the commercial fishing crew member was considered to be the most dangerous occupation in the United States. .jpg)
During the 80’s and 90’s, fishing communities in small towns and villages along the coast lived in the constant fear of losing their loved ones to accidents on board these vessels.
For many years the commercial fishing industry was an unregulated one. The Fishing Vessel Safety Act set down regulations for safety standards, training of crew members, accident reporting procedures, and vessel stability. Strong regulations and the threat of legal action in case of violations have meant that there are fewer accidents involving these vessels than there used to be.
Commercial fishing crew members may also qualify under the Jones Act, although this can depend on whether they qualify as a Jones Act seaman. A seaman must have been assigned to a vessel or fleet of vessels on navigable waters, must contribute to the mission of the vessel, and must have a substantial connection with the vessel, both in terms of nature of work, as well as duration.
The maritime lawyers at Arnold & Itkin LLP represent workers injured on commercial fishing vessels, cargo ships, tankers, offshore rigs, cruise ships, barges and towboats.
