Tugboat Accidents: The Hidden Risks in Maritime Towing Operations

Common Causes of Tugboat Accidents and How Victims Can Seek Compensation

Tugboats play a key role in helping larger vessels navigate through narrow waterways, ensuring the safety of the ship and the crew on board. But this also means that tugboat workers are frequently dealing with challenging conditions. If an accident happens, sailors can be at risk for serious injuries or even death. The Coast Guard collects data on tugboat accident injures and their severity, with minor to moderate injuries being the most common. However, every year, the industry sees fatalities from tugboat accidents. Here are some of the most common causes of tugboat accidents and the risks they present to sailors.

Collisions Due to Excessive or Miscalculated Speed

Tugboat maneuvers require precision. The tugboat must be moving at just the right speed and trajectory when approaching, leading, and moving away from the larger vessel. Tugboats must also factor in the load they’re pulling and how this might change how much time and distance they need to stop or how quickly they can move out of the way of an obstacle. A miscalculation in this area can lead to an accident and potentially serious injuries for the sailors on board.

The Tugboat Being Pulled Off Course

When a tugboat is pushing or pulling a larger ship, it has to deal with the force of moving through the water, as well as the force from the other ship. This can make maneuvering and staying on course more difficult. If conditions are choppy or there are strong winds, this can make it even more challenging for the tugboat to maintain proper tension on the line and keep both vessels moving in a safe pattern.

The tugboat must also deal with the force of the water itself. For example, the water flow pattern can be disrupted when two ships are traveling close together. If the tugboat gets pulled toward the larger vessel by the force of the water, it can increase the chances of a collision.

Maneuvering Errors

Many maritime accidents are caused by simple operator error. Tugboats have the difficult job of guiding large ships through shallow or narrow waterways, which means they need precise maneuvering to get all the vessels to safety. Multiple tugboats may be required in some cases, but this can increase the chances of an accident because it requires even more in-depth coordination. Mistakes in these scenarios can result in destabilizing the larger vessel or collisions.

Tugboat Workers Are at Risk of Serious Injury

According to data from the U.S. Coast Guard American Waterways Operators Annual Safety Report, the most common types of tugboat accidents that resulted in injuries or fatalities include the following.

Being Crushed Between Two Objects

Because of the cramped working conditions and how close the tugboat must be to other objects, such as the other vessel, the dock, or other obstacles, crush injuries are more likely. This can also happen if items are unsecured on the ship and slide around.

Falling

This can include falling from a height on the ship itself or into the water. The highest number of tugboat accident fatalities come from falling overboard onto a hard surface or another object. Depending on the water temperature and how long it takes to locate and rescue them, those who fall overboard may also face the risk of hypothermia.

Other Injuries

Other common injuries from tugboat accidents include getting caught in the lines, sustaining burns, and slips and falls. Sailors may suffer broken bones, lacerations, and other injuries that require time off of work and extended recovery time.

While not all accidents can be prevented, there are safety policies and procedures that should be in place to protect sailors doing this vital work. If you were injured in an accident on a tugboat, contact the Law Offices of Preston Easley APC to learn more about your rights and options.

What Should You Do If You Were Injured in a Tugboat Accident?

Many sailors who are injured in tugboat accidents don’t know that they may be entitled to compensation for their injuries or how to start the process. The first step in ensuring you get what you deserve is to be informed. Meeting with a maritime accident attorney can give you the information you need to determine if you are eligible for compensation and what evidence and documentation will be helpful for your case.

If your injuries were due to an employer’s negligence in keeping a safe ship and suitable working environment, you could file for compensation. This can include financial losses due to your injuries, missed work, and pain and suffering. However, it will be essential to have evidence to back up your claims. Your attorney can help with this part, but it’s vital that you have information that documents your injuries and their severity, such as your medical records from when you were examined after the incident.

Any information you can remember about what happened before and during the accident can also be helpful. Your attorney will use all of this to help you determine an appropriate legal strategy moving forward.

If you or a loved one is the victim of a tugboat accident, maritime attorney Preston Easley is here to ensure you get the legal counsel and representation you need. He has first-hand experience as an active duty Naval officer and understands the potential dangers sailors face in their work. Call the Law Offices of Preston Easley APC at 310-773-5207 to schedule a free consultation.