Maritime workers have a unique set of challenges and risks in their job. They can get injured on site, get seasick, and even end up lost at sea. If a maritime worker ends up lost at sea, there are important steps they must follow to safely come back to shore and receive the justice they deserve.
Remain Calm and Analyze the Situation
- If your vessel goes into unfamiliar waters, it is vital that you remain calm and assess the situation to the best of your ability. This can include looking for help, judging potential hazards, understanding what resources you have on board, and assessing if you are capable of using navigational tools to find your way back to land.
Signal For Help
- Keep an eye out for land and other vessels. If there are boating vessels nearby, they should be flagged down using your voice, arms, flags, and even flares. Boaters are required by federal law to help others at sea if they are in need of assistance.
- The U.S. Coast Guard has a number that you can call if you are in an emergency situation: (206) 220-7001
- Use the radio to call for help.
Conserve Resources and Wait for Help
- As you wait for help, it is best to conserve resources in case the rescue takes longer than expected.
Contact a Maritime Injury Lawyer
Everyone has the right to feel protected and safe at their place of work. If you are a maritime worker who has been lost at sea on the job, you may be entitled to compensation for your company’s negligence. Injury at Sea has immense experience helping maritime workers receive the justice they deserve.
Our firm is headquartered in Seattle and represents clients located in Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and California. Call us today at 1-800-SEA-SALT for a free consultation.
Injury at Sea is led by Jim Gooding and Matt Cole. Jim has been practicing personal injury law for over 30 years and has consistently been recognized for his legal work. Jim can be reached at jim@injuryatsea.com. Matt has over 15 years of experience working in the commercial fishing industry, and he understands the dangers that maritime workers face at sea. Recognized as a Rising Star Lawyer, he now seeks to represent workers who have been injured at sea. Matt can be reached at matt@injuryatsea.com.