Dry dock accidents and injuries often occur in shipyards. Workers are vulnerable to several types of accidents, especially if there is a lack of training, safety gear, or safety procedures. If you were injured in a dry dock accident, contact a maritime lawyer for help seeking compensation.
What Is a Dry Dock?
A dry dock is a structure in a shipyard used for building and repairing vessels. It is a walled, U-shaped structure. It is filled with water to allow a ship to maneuver in for repairs. The water is then pumped out so the entire ship is exposed for maintenance and repairs.
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Accidents That Occur in Dry Docks
Most jobs in the maritime industry pose risks for workers. This includes shipyard jobs and dry dock workers. These workers are responsible for navigating a vessel in a dry dock, using elevated gangways and platforms, and often working at height or in tight spaces. Dry dock workers are vulnerable to several types of accidents:
Falls
Working at height and navigating workspaces on a ship in a dry dock means workers may fall. Most falls in dry dock are to hard surfaces, which can result in fractures, head and back injuries, and even death.
Strikes
Workers can suffer similar injuries to those seen in falls when struck by equipment or parts. A crane moving a load of materials may swing into a worker or drop equipment on a worker, resulting in serious injuries or death.
Chemical Exposure
Dry dock workers may be exposed to harmful chemicals used on vessels. Inhalation of toxic fumes can be deadly or cause respiratory injuries. Exposure to the skin can cause burns and wounds. Inhalation accidents are a particular risk for workers in confined spaces. Fumes can quickly build up in these areas.
Electrical Accidents and Fires
Fires can occur on ships in dry dock and cause significant harm, damage, and fatalities. Gas leaks, welding incidents, chemical leaks, and electrical accidents can all cause fires. In extreme cases, an explosion may injure or kill workers. Electrical accidents can also cause shock injuries.
Flooding
The dry dock should not be flooded until all workers are ready. If it begins to flood early, workers can be hurt or killed. They can also be at risk if, during planned flooding, parts of the ship leak and cause it to fill with water.
What Causes Dry Dock Accidents?
Dry dock accidents can be severe, resulting in significant worker injuries and even fatalities. The underlying causes of accidents in dry docks are often preventable:
- Workers may be inadequately trained for the jobs they are doing.
- Workers may not have adequate safety training or access to safety equipment.
- Equipment that is not well maintained or repaired can fail and cause accidents.
- A boat in a dry dock not adequately secured may slip or tip over.
- Workers who are fatigued on the job can cause accidents.
- Miscommunications between workers or from supervisors to workers can lead to accidents.
- Trip hazards or lack of railings can lead to falls.
Examples of Dry Dock Accidents
Unfortunately, there are plenty of real-life examples of accidents in dry docks that lead to significant worker injuries and even fatalities.
Multiple Injuries in Scottish Dry Dock Accident
A dry dock accident in Scotland in 2023 injured 35 people. The ship, owned by the U.S. Navy, had been in dry dock at the facility since 2020. The accident occurred when the vessel dislodged from its holding and tipped over at a 45-degree angle.
Several people were treated at the scene, and 15 were sent to local hospitals. Several people suffered severe injuries. While winds were high that day, the actual cause of the vessel tipping over was not apparent.
Cruise Ship Accident in Dry Dock
Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas was in dry dock for repairs in 2019 at the Grand Bahama Shipyard when an accident occurred. Eight people suffered injuries after a crane collapsed and landed on the vessel. It left the cruise ship damaged and listing to one side.
Fatal Dry Dock Accident
Some dry dock accidents result in fatalities, including an incident at Detyens Shipyard in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1995. A watchman was working alone in the dry dock to ensure it remained level.
When the worker set to take over the watch arrived, he found the first employee unconscious at the bottom of the dry dock. The worker had fallen 30 feet from a gangway, possibly due to the area’s high winds. He suffered head and internal injuries and died in the hospital.
What to Do After a Dry Dock Accident
If you were injured in an accident in a dry dock, first get any needed medical attention. You should also ensure the incident is reported following your employer’s outlined procedures. This report is essential for seeking compensation later.
Talk to a maritime lawyer as soon as possible. They can help you seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and more. If you work in a shipyard, you likely qualify for compensation under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act.
A lawyer can help you successfully file a workers’ compensation claim. If they believe negligence played a role in your accident, other laws may protect you and allow you to sue for damages.