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Charter Boat Accidents

Charter Boat Accident Maritime Lawyer

A charter boat is a vessel rented (chartered) to carry passengers for hire. Typically, the owner or the owner’s captain and crew retain control of the vessel during the charter period.  Charter boats range widely in size and shape. They include sailing vessels, tour boats, private yachts, and even barges.  However, the most common type of charter boat is likely the fishing charter boat.  

Various charter boats can stay local in rivers and harbors or head offshore depending on their build and crew.  Charter boats may or may not be inspected by the United States Coast Guard for the safe carriage of paying passengers.  The captain should likely have at least a limited mariner’s license from the Coast Guard. Larger charter vessels carrying more than 6 passengers should be inspected annually by the Coast Guard and its crew regularly trained on man overboard, firefighting, and flood control. There is a major issue in the United States right now with uninspected vessels carrying paying passengers without proper crew licenses, inspections, and insurance.  The Coast Guard is increasing enforcement against these illegal charter operators with very heavy fines. Even so, both legal and illegal vessels charters harm passengers and crewmembers every year.    

Charter boat injuries usually result from negligence on the vessel owner, operator, or crew. Examples of negligence may include:

Navigational Errors (like hitting another vessel or stationary object)
Equipment Failure (like engines, pumps, or hydraulics)
Slippery Decks
Tripping Hazards
Improper Crew Training
Lack of Safety Equipment

Accidents resulting from negligence aboard charter boats can range from minor to severe.  Collisions and sinkings are unfortunately common. Still other injuries come from safety issues that don’t result in the loss of the vessel, such as:

Fractured Bones (including fingers, arms, and legs)
Slip, Trip and Falls
Sprains
Strains
Torn Ligaments
Infections
Head Injuries
Falling Overboard (including drowning, hypothermia, and frostbite)

Legal Remedies for Charter Boat Accidents

The compensation available to those injured on charter vessels depends on their function aboard the boat.  Injured passengers may have a claim for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost income, and maybe even punitive damages under general maritime law.  If the passenger is tragically killed, the area of the incident becomes important.  If the passenger dies many miles offshore, his or her family’s claim may be under the Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA).  Otherwise, maritime law and potentially state law will apply to deaths nearer to shore.  

Injured crewmembers may qualify for seaman status under the Jones Act.  Such maritime employees are entitled to a safe place to work and can sue their employers for workplace negligence.  Mariners may also have a claim for unseaworthiness when a component of the vessel or its crew is not fit for the voyage.  Jones Act seaman are a protected class of worker.  They can claim damages for lost earning and pain and suffering.  The injured seaman may also be able to claim maintenance and cure, that is compensation for living expenses and medical care until they reach maximum medical improvement (MMI).  

Contact a Maritime Lawyer for Charter Boat Accidents in Washington, Oregon, New York, Alaska, and Connecticut

Admiralty Attorney Adam Deitz is a licensed captain with extensive experience operating passenger vessels.  Whether you’re a passenger or crewmember, it’s a serious matter to be injured on a charter boat.  Mariner Law, PLLC can help you investigate negligence and evaluate your potential claim. Contact (253) 600-2531 for a free consultation with a maritime attorney.  The firm proudly serves mariner clients in Washington, Oregon, New York, Connecticut, Alaska, and nationwide.

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Seaman's Manslaughter Statute

Marine Salvage

Maritime Wrongful Death

Public Vessels Act and Suits in Admiralty Act

Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act

Vessel Sinkings

Death on the High Seas Act

Unseaworthiness

Maritime Casualties

Tug and Barge Accidents

Boarding Accidents

Cargo Handling Accidents

Commercial Fishing Accidents

Charter Boat Accidents

Crane Accidents

Cruise Ship Accidents

Defective Equipment

Dinner Boat Accidents

Dredge Accidents

Dry Dock Accidents

Engine Room Accidents

Fire/Explosion Accidents

Ferry Accidents

Jet Ski Accidents

Jetboat Accidents

Marine Pilot Accidents

Mooring Line Accidents

Recreational Boating Accidents

Slip/Trip and Fall Accidents

Tour Boat Accidents

Toxic Exposure Accidents

Wind Farm Accidents

Maritime Injuries

Amputated Fingers

Arm Injuries

Back Injuries

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Brain Injuries

Broken Bones

Burn Injuries

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Foot Injuries

Frostbite

Hand Injuries

Head Injuries

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Hearing Loss

Lost Limbs

Lung Disease / Mesothelioma

Neck Injuries

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Able-bodied Seamen

Barge Workers / Tankermen

Commercial Fishermen

Cooks

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Recreational Boaters

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