Five Common Causes of Maritime Injuries

Working on the water presents hazards that most people never encounter in everyday life.

Whether aboard a dredge, tugboat, crew boat, barge, or offshore vessel, maritime workers routinely perform dangerous jobs in difficult environments where small mistakes can lead to serious injuries.

Over the years, we have seen several recurring themes in Louisiana maritime injury cases and Jones Act claims.

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1. The Crew Is in a Rush

Safety often suffers when time becomes the priority.

When storms are approaching, vessels are mobilizing, schedules are slipping, or operations are running behind, crews sometimes feel pressure to move quickly and "get it done."

Unfortunately, rushed work often leads to shortcuts.

We've seen situations where crews racing to prepare for an approaching storm skipped routine safety measures, resulting in serious injuries. In one case, a safety gate was left unsecured and a crew member ended up overboard. In another, lockout/tagout procedures were bypassed during vessel movement operations, leading to a devastating crushing injury.

Ironically, these are the situations where safety procedures become most important.

2. Inadequate or Improper Training

One of the most dangerous phrases in any industry is:

"We've always done it this way."

Simply performing a task thousands of times does not necessarily mean it is being performed correctly or safely.

Over time, shortcuts can become habits, and unsafe habits can become part of a company's culture.

While on-the-job training is extremely valuable, employers still have an obligation to ensure that training is accurate, current, and consistent with established safety procedures.

Proper training should not only occur during orientation but should be reinforced and tested regularly throughout a worker's career.

3. Failure to Conduct Pre-Job Meetings

Most maritime safety programs require some form of pre-job planning before potentially hazardous work begins.

On many federal projects, including work involving the United States Army Corps of Engineers, pre-job meetings may be required by project-specific Accident Prevention Plans or safety programs such as EM 385-1-1.

These meetings do not need to be lengthy.

Their purpose is simple: make sure everyone understands the task, knows their responsibilities, identifies hazards, confirms equipment needs, and agrees on the safest way to perform the work.

Many serious maritime accidents occur because assumptions were made and communication never happened.

4. Inadequate Manning or Crew Size

Some maritime jobs simply cannot be performed safely without enough people.

We have handled cases where vessels operated short-handed or where workers were asked to perform tasks outside their normal responsibilities without sufficient training or assistance.

Job Safety Analyses (JSAs) and Activity Hazard Analyses (AHAs) often identify the number of crew members required to safely perform a particular operation.

For example, certain dredging operations may require one worker operating controls, another securing equipment, and a third serving as a spotter to ensure everyone remains clear of danger zones.

Remove one person from that equation and the margin for error can disappear quickly.

In some situations, inadequate manning may even support a claim that a vessel was legally unseaworthy.

5. Inadequate Tools and Equipment

Most workers have heard the phrase:

"Use the right tool for the job."

That principle is especially important in the maritime industry.

Unfortunately, offshore workers sometimes find themselves improvising because the proper equipment is unavailable, damaged, or has not been provided.

When workers are forced to "make do" with inadequate equipment, the likelihood of injury increases dramatically.

Providing proper tools and maintaining equipment is one of the simplest and most effective ways to improve safety aboard a vessel.

Have You Been Injured Working Offshore or on the Water?

If you have been injured while working offshore, aboard a vessel, or in another maritime setting, it is important to understand your rights under the Jones Act and other maritime laws.

We would be happy to answer your questions and discuss your options during a free consultation.

Call our office at 985-590-6182 to learn more.

We represent clients throughout St. Tammany Parish, Tangipahoa Parish, Washington Parish, and communities across the Northshore including Covington, Mandeville, Slidell, Hammond, and Madisonville.

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