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Posted in Barge Accidents,Injured Fishermen,Jones Act,Maritime Law,Massachusetts Maritime News on January 19, 2011
NANTUCKETT, MA. – A seaman employed by Toscana Corporation barge was injured Tuesday, December 18, after being pinned between a barge and Steamboat Wharf and then falling into the freezing water. The incident occurred as workers on the Toscana Corporation barge were attempting to untie the vessel after unloading material at the wharf in rough weather, Detective Lt. Jerry Adams said. Other Toscana employees were able to get the man out of the water as police and EMTs rushed to the scene.
Photo above shows Toscana employee Tris Gauvin, center, and fire captain Tom Holden assisting in the rescue. Photo Credit by Nicole Harnishfeger.
The victim was placed on a stretcher after his coworkers were able to pull him out of the water. He was taken to Nantucket Cottage Hospital.
Just after 5 p.m. Tuesday, NCH spokesman Bill Ferrall confirmed the man was flown by a Coast Guard jet to the Boston hospital, and listed him in serious condition.
According to emergency radio transmissions, the victim briefly lost consciousness, but was able to respond to EMTs and police officers at the scene.
The incident remains under investigation.
Source:
The Inquirer and Mirror
Maritime lawyer, Gordon & Elias, says that The Jones Act is one of the few areas of the law that is still favorable to an injured worker. It applies to deck hands, engineers, third mates, second mates, first mates, relief captains, captains, roustabouts, roughnecks, drillers, pilots, tanker man, anchor tenders and basically all persons that are involved in the maritime offshore industry. It applies to the fishing, fishery, canning, shrimping, oil field, dredging, barge, tugboat, towboat, crew boat, supply boat and other maritime offshore industries. Read more.