East Naples woman injured by boat propeller requests new trial

Naples — A lawyer for an East Naples woman severely injured by a boat propeller a decade ago asked for a new trial Tuesday, citing repeated “shenanigans” and violations by defense attorneys that “poisoned the jury.”

Names of 3 rescued boaters released - One dead

FORT MYERS, Fla. - We have an update on last night's fatal boat accident. Fish and Wildlife tells us a 12-foot vessel was towing a 10-foot vessel in the Caloosahatchee River's choppy water. The operator of the first boat fell in the water after his seat broke. Another passenger fell in after attempting to take control of the boat. The operator ultimately drowned, and was recovered within 100 feet of the accident site at nearby Rat Island. Officials say the accident was alcohol-related.

Crowley Maritime Christens New ATB

Seafarers and SIU officials were on hand Oct. 26 in New Orleans to join in celebrating the christening of Crowley Maritime Corporation’s newest articulated tug-barge (ATB) tank vessel, consisting of the 135-foot tugboat Pride and the 587-foot barge 650-7.SIU New Orleans Port Agent Chris Westbrook and SIU Houston Port Agent Mike Russo attended the ceremony, which took place at Cruise Terminal Number 2.

Seafarers International Union (SIU) President's Report: Jobs Plan

This from the SIU President: December 2009 -- Current Issue Many Seafarers understand both the benefits and the responsibilities that go along with our union’s affiliations to groups like the AFL-CIO, the Maritime Trades Department and the International Transport Workers’ Federation. Belonging to those organizations (and others) helps boost our voice on key issues. It gives us important strength beyond our numbers. It also means we provide grassroots support whenever possible.

Coast Guard and tour boat collided in Charleston Harbor

Legal news for South Carolina personal injury attorneys. A small Coast Guard boat collided with a catamaran, injuring three people.Personal injury lawyers alert- A tour boat and a Coast Guard boat collision in Charleston Harbor injured three people. Charleston, SC—A small Coast Guard boat and a commercial catamaran collided in the Charleston Harbor, shortly after the annual Christmas Parade of Boats for unknown reason. The collision injured three people aboard the catamaran, which crashed around 8:30 p.m., as reported by The Post and Courier.

Acadien II victims launch lawsuit

The families of four sealers who died when their fishing boat sank near the Magdalen Islands in March 2008 have filed a $2.7-million lawsuit against the Canadian Coast Guard and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. The two survivors of the sinking are also participating in the lawsuit. The 12-metre trawler L'Acadien II, from the Îles de la Madeleine, Que., was being towed by the Sir William Alexander in the Gulf of St. Lawrence on March 29, 2008, when the fishing boat hit an ice block and capsized off the coast of Cape Breton, N.S.

Piracy Driving Up Shipping Costs - Africa's Dangerous Waters

While almost all the attention on and, hence, resources for combating piracy in African waters have of late been focused almost exclusively on the waters off the Somali coastline (see my most recent report on the "Return of the Somali Pirates"), a bloody attack last week is a reminder that the Gulf of Guinea on the opposite side of Africa can be equally dangerous—if not more so—even if it does not grab headlines with spectacular heists like this week's capture of the Greek supertanker MV Maran Centaurus as it was transporting more than two million barrels of oil destined for the United States.

Family Sues Hundreds of Lake Shore Residents After Teen's Boating Death - Angel Diaz

MIAMI, Fla. -- There's no denying the 2007 tragedy. Fifteen-year-old Angel Diaz had been invited to go jet-skiing on E Lake in Florida's southwest Miami-Dade County. In broad daylight, Diaz crashed a SeaDoo and died. Was it a simple accident, or should someone be held responsible for the teenager's death? "The parents are now suing every single resident of E Lake," said Gene Kohly, who owns a home on the lake. That's correct. The lawsuit lists every homeowner who lives on the lake. It's five pages of names. All 202 people, it says, are responsible for Angel Diaz's death, except the homeowner who invited Angel to use the lake that day. He's not listed. "It is outrageous," Kohly said. "I was having a discussion with my neighbors and we all say, 'how can they sue us, what could we have done,' and I say, 'I don't know.' We just feel that we're being unfairly targeted for money."

UPDATED: Destin man arrested in boating accident that killed three

OKALOOSA ISLAND — A Destin man has been charged with boating under the influence manslaughter in connection to an accident Sept. 4 that killed an Alabama couple and one of their relatives from Texas. Click here to view a photo gallery of the two boats involved in the collision » Augusta Frederick Kennedy, 41, was arrested Wednesday on three counts of BUI manslaughter. He was also charged with boating under the influence, causing damage to property and five counts of violation of navigational rules resulting in an accident. -------------------------- Drinking and boating just don't mix. This kind of incident is far too common on Florida waters. Dwayne

Federal judge in Hawaii says lack of standing imperils Jones Act lawsuit

HONOLULU (AP) — A federal judge has cast doubt on the fate of a lawsuit that sought to bar enforcement of the Jones Act, a law that in part requires domestic shipping to be performed by vessels owned and flagged by the United States. The lawsuit was filed by John Carroll, a Honolulu lawyer who is running for the Republican nomination for governor next year. U.S. District Judge David Ezra said Monday that Carroll's plaintiffs appear to lack standing to sue. He says the lawsuit stated generalized grievances best resolved by Congress, not specific claims that the courts can adjudicate. Carroll argues the law is harmful to Hawaii because it results in higher prices for goods shipped into the state, and has caused some businesses to fold. Ezra says he will soon issue a ruling.

Family puzzled by Chesapeake Bay boating deaths

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Authorities are trying to determine the cause of a Chesapeake Bay boating accident that killed two Virginia men. John Bull, a spokesman for the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, says the cause of the accident won't be known for days. He says the pair's 28-foot Boston Whaler had no mechanical or structural problems. Authorities say 83-year-old Chesapeake resident Jefferson Sykes and 75-year-old Portsmouth resident Allen Fuller were found dead in the water near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel on Friday afternoon. Jeff Fuller says his father was cautious about risking bad weather. Since conditions were described as good at the time of the accident, Jeff Fuller says the accident is a mystery.

Ocean Isle parasailing fatalities spur stack full of lawsuits

WILMINGTON, N.C. -- Lawsuits and other filings stemming from the death of two women parasailers Aug. 28 off Ocean Isle Beach are piling up at U.S. District Court in Wilmington, N.C., with two more plaintiffs seeking damages from the parasail business and the business claiming in another filing that the manufacturers of the parasail and tow rope should pay whatever may be awarded.

Pirates Attack Oil Tanker Off Benin - Seaman Killed on Ship

(RTTNews) - Pirates have attacked a Monrovia-flagged oil tanker off the coast of the West African country of Benin, killing one seaman, officials said Tuesday.According to Benin's naval forces, the attack on the 230-meter long Cancale Star took place some 18 nautical miles off the country's coast. The vessel's chief engineer, a Ukrainian, was killed in the attack, which also left four other crew members injured.

Walnut Creek man dies in boating accident

The San Mateo County coroner's office has identified the man who died when his sailboat overturned off Pillar Point Friday afternoon. Matthew Runte, 49, was pronounced dead at Seton Coastside Medical Center. Runte and another man were apparently sailing in 15- to 20-foot seas Friday when the boat overturned about 4:25 p.m. two miles offshore. One of the men was able to shoot a flare to alert authorities.

Coast Guard still probing death of tugboat crewman - Tugboat Marlin

The U.S. Coast Guard says it is still investigating a 4 p.m. Sunday incident in which a tugboat crewman died. The 52-year-old crewman from the tugboat Marlin was found aboard the vessel unconscious and unresponsive.