Maritime safety involves injuries at sea to people and property. The Coast Guard maritime safety and security team’s job is to identify the cause of maritime injuries. This can prove invaluable in cases where the injured party seeks compensation after the incident.
Many Coast Guard maritime safety guidelines come from the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). If you are involved in an accident at sea, there’s a good chance that the outcome of the Coast Guard’s investigation impacts how much compensation you receive.
If you’ve been injured in a maritime accident, contact our Houston maritime injury lawyer. You’ll get professional advice on how to proceed and which regulations apply to your claim.
Coast Guard safety regulations
The regulations in the International Safety Management (ISM) Code cover safe practices to avoid accidents and prevent maritime injuries. They also aim to reduce pollution, including pollution caused by scuttled vessels. The ISM Code applies to ship owners and operators, shipping companies, and pleasure excursion boating owners and operators.
SOLAS covers the required safety regulations for all merchant ships. If a ship violates SOLAS regulations, its owner and operator can be found liable for injuries and other damages if the ship collides with another or runs aground.
SOLAS also contains fire-test guidelines, including non-combustibility, toxicity tests, and surface flammability. The guidelines cover standard global safety requirements for the construction and operation of ships.
Another critical set of guidelines that could influence your recovery from a maritime accident is the Cargo Security and Storage (CSS) Code. These regulations establish safe working conditions for cargo vessels, including how containers are to be safely secured and the safe storage measures cargo ships should take for motor vehicles.
Not meeting maritime safety standards can open up that party to liability if there’s an accident.
How maritime accidents are investigated by the U.S. Coast Guard maritime safety and security team
The Coast Guard has primary authority over boating accidents at sea. As the vessel’s owner or operator, you must report any significant maritime accident to the Coast Guard as soon as possible.
Then, the Investigation Division investigates any marine casualties that resulted from the accident. The Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security team consists of professional investigators who specialize in maritime accident analysis and maritime operations.
The team gathers initial information at the scene, evaluates its findings, and determines if there were maritime code violations. Investigators will:
- Interview witnesses
- Review the logs of each ship involved
- Analyze technical data from each vessel
- Examine the crew’s qualifications
- Consider weather and sea conditions in their investigations
How a maritime injury lawyer can help you with your maritime injury claim
Your attorney will use the Coast Guard’s report to help you pursue compensation in cases where the accident was caused by human or mechanical error, negligence, equipment failure, or regulatory violations.
The Coast Guard maritime safety report also contains the probable cause of the accident and recommendations to prevent similar accidents.
If you have been injured at sea or your property was damaged due to a maritime accident, you have the right to demand fair compensation from the party responsible. Our attorneys can help you understand which laws govern your claim and your legal options.
We can negotiate with the other party’s insurance carrier for a fair settlement to cover property loss, injury, and other damages. Our team handles all legal matters necessary to advance your claim, including:
- Filing the initial suit
- Communicating with the other party
- Helping you get quality medical care
- Properly valuing your injuries and losses
Have you suffered a maritime injury? We can help you.
Have you suffered personal injury or property loss in an accident at sea? The attorneys at Havens & Associates can help you get the compensation you deserve. Our firm has a strong track record of successfully settling maritime injury claims. We have the extensive knowledge of state, federal, and international regulations necessary to provide comprehensive legal advice.
Contact us today at (713) 955-2215 for a free consultation.
