Vessels have evolved to a point where there are a number of different types found all around the world. Gone are the days of a simple caravels in the fifteenth century. Modern society has a need for ships of all shapes and sizes, including containerships. However, despite the evolution of containerships and vessels of all types, collisions and allisions continue to occur on a daily basis, as well as other accidents that could lead to serious injuries. If you or a loved one have been injured while onboard a containership, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries.

The purpose of containerships is found in the name itself: they are essentially ships that carry containers over the high seas. Modern containerships can carry up to 11,000 twenty-foot containers, although projections for future containerships may increase this amount.

Containerships are not a recent development, but instead emerged on the vessel scene over fifty years ago. Currently, the largest containerships are around 1,300 feet long, approximately the distance around an Olympic running track. These massive vessels can weight up to 2,300 tons and have approximately twenty one stories between the engine room and the bridge. Amazingly enough, these massive vessels can be operated by a crew of only thirteen people.

Modern containerships are technologically advanced, with unique software that dictates the loading and unloading of containers. Therefore, all workers onboard containerships, as well as longshoremen on shore, must be specially trained to handle the responsibilities on a containership as well as recognize any inherent risks.

The United States Code defines a certificate of inspection as the certificate issued by the Secretary after a vessel has been found to be in compliance after an inspection. An inspection must occur before each vessel is put into service, and must occur annually if it carries more than 12 passengers on a foreign voyage, or once every 5 years if the vessel does not partake in a foreign voyage. The certificate must be framed and located in a visible location onboard the vessel. A vessel which does not display the certificate of inspection may be moored onshore until the certificate is acquired. This may require the vessel operator to repair any deficiencies found on the craft.

Many vessels are subject to inspection, including the following:

• Freight Vessels
• Offshore Supply Vessels
• Passenger Vessels
• Seagoing Barges
• Oil Spill Response Vessels
• Towing Vessels

Failure to properly display a certificate of inspection may impact your ability to file a claim in the event of a terrible accident.

If you have been injured while aboard a containership, you may be able to bring a claim against the vessel operator or negligent party who caused the injury. Injuries which occur on the high seas can be brought within a variety of federal statutes, depending on the injury and the vessel. The Jones Act and the Death on the High Seas Act allow a seaman as well as their family to recover after a serious accident occurs while onboard a vessel. These Acts were put into place nearly one hundred years ago after Congress determined that seaman were not eligible under traditional workers’ compensation statutes and therefore needed protection under federal law.

An experienced maritime attorney will be able to assist you in putting together a claim for any resulting damages as well as calculating the amount of compensation you are entitled to receive.

If you have been injured by a containership or sustained an injury while onboard one, you may be able to bring a claim for your injuries. Tony Malley from the Malley Law Firm has years of experience in handling all types of maritime claims, including those sustained from containerships. Contact our Texas offices today for your initial free consultation.