There was a fire on the shrimp boat MISS HOPKINS on March 31, 2023. Three crew members on board had to abandon it. The fisherman floated in the water of the Jekyll Sound for roughly 45 minutes before they were rescued by another vessel. At the time of the fire, the crew of the trawler was attempting to pull its nets back in. The captain on board smelled a fire, and attempted to enter the engine room to fight it. However, the fire quickly spread and resulted in the abandoning of the ship. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Additional details have not yet been released.
There have been a number of recent incidents involving vessels. There was a deadly incident during a lifeboat drill on the bulk carrier KANG HUAN on March 28, 2023. A crew member lost his leg on the ZIM NORFOLK on March 27, 2023. The tug boat SEA CYPRESS capsized in Sabine Pass, Texas on March 31, 2023. A crew member fell overboard on the bulk carrier HELLASSHIP on April 1, 2023. A sailboat caught fire in Mobile Bay, Alabama on April 2, 2023. A recreational fishing boat capsized in Suisun Bay, California on April 3, 2023.
It can be dangerous to work in any industry when safety considerations are not taken seriously. Safe ship owners and operators must ensure that their vessels do not put the lives of hard working men and women at risk. Safe companies must be proactive and take preventative measures, including regular maintenance and repairs, to also ensure that the environment is not impacted.
Our experienced lawyers handle maritime personal injury and wrongful death litigation of all kinds and the skills needed to represent the families of loved ones who have lost their lives or those who have been seriously injured as a result of a vessel accident. The lawyers of Spagnoletti Law Firm have handled maritime lawsuits throughout the country, including handling lawsuits involving shrimp boats.
The experienced and aggressive vessel accident attorneys at Spagnoletti Law Firm can help you understand your rights if you or a loved one was a victim of an accident on a shrimp boat. There are strict and short time limits on making claims related to maritime injuries, so please contact us online or call 713-804-9306 or to learn more about your rights.