What Your New York Maritime Lawyer Wants You to Do to Stay Safe During a Fire

Knowing what to do when a fire occurs on your vessel may mean the difference between life and death. Sometimes, you only have seconds to act before your only choice is between the hot and deadly flames or the cold and equally deadly sea. Knowing what to do can allow you to make quick decisions that may save your life and the lives of your crewmates.

As a New York maritime lawyer, I recommend that:

• You know all fire safety measures before leaving the dock. This includes knowing where fire extinguishing equipment is and what to do when a fire occurs.
• You can quickly access a life jacket and other appropriate flotation devices. Your only choice may be to abandon ship and, if that occurs, you want to do so as safely as possible.
• Your ship always has adequate means of contacting the shore for emergency assistance.

Even if you follow all of these recommendations, I recognize that the potential for serious injuries is still very real. If you have been hurt in a maritime fire, then you may be entitled to damages. Please contact an experienced New York Jones Act attorney as soon as possible. You can reach us at 1-800-3-MAY-DAY. We'd be happy to review your case and talk about your rights and potential recovery with you.