Texas harbor pilot injured during boat transfer files Jones Act law suit
Texas seaman Ricci Anderson filed suit against Harvey Gulf International Marine and Diamond Offshore Drilling on July 14 in Jefferson County District Court. Anderson was employed as a pilot with Sabine Pilots of Groves.
On Oct. 21, 2007, Harvey Gulf was towing a semi-submersible drilling rig owned by Diamond Offshore. Anderson was called out to transfer onto the tugboat, the Harvey Thunder, to tow the drilling rig into the jetties.
"While in the process of transferring from the pilot boat onto the Harvey Thunder … the tugboat yawed and rocked causing plaintiff's arms to be jerked violently," the suit says. "Plaintiff was forced to grab onto handrails overhead - in the absence of a ladder, guide bar/guide rails and/or safety rod - to avoid falling between the vessels. As a result, plaintiff sustained severe injuries."
On Oct. 21, 2007, Harvey Gulf was towing a semi-submersible drilling rig owned by Diamond Offshore. Anderson was called out to transfer onto the tugboat, the Harvey Thunder, to tow the drilling rig into the jetties.
"While in the process of transferring from the pilot boat onto the Harvey Thunder … the tugboat yawed and rocked causing plaintiff's arms to be jerked violently," the suit says. "Plaintiff was forced to grab onto handrails overhead - in the absence of a ladder, guide bar/guide rails and/or safety rod - to avoid falling between the vessels. As a result, plaintiff sustained severe injuries."
