Maritime Acts

The United States is one of the world’s leading maritime trading countries with its vast network of navigable waterways, and as such, universal maritime law is crucial to our continued success. The navigable waters of the United States include inland waterways, off-shore waters, the Great Lakes, the Saint Lawrence Seaway, the oceans, navigable coastal waterways, lakes, rivers, and streams. These waterways encompass various ports, harbor channels, cargo terminals, pipeline connections, and many other places where offshore workers can find employment. Regulating the vessels on the high seas and inland waterways is extremely important because of the dangers that arise while working and traveling on the water.

Work on the ocean, aboard vessels, on offshore platforms, on docks, and in shipyards can be extremely dangerous, and accidents during maritime employment can even be deadly. Maritime injuries many times are severe, disabling, and leave an injured seaman with permanent working restrictions. Injuries can involve burns, crushed or fractured limbs, muscle and ligament sprain or strain, deep cuts, lacerations, punctures, amputations, avulsions, traumatic brain injury, spinal trauma, and dislocations. That’s why regulations and laws have been put in place to protect the rights of marine workers and their families. Understanding those rights can help you prepare for your future when you are injured on the job.

Maritime jobs are of a wide variety and maritime employers retain shipbuilders, dock workers, longshoremen, sailors, marine oilers, captains, mates, pilots, merchant marines, engineers, cooks, and electricians. With so many varied workers in such dangerous occupations, accidents and injuries are unavoidable. When accidents do occur, laws are in place to protect you.