If you work in the Port of Galveston or on one of the many cruise ships or cargo ships that enter the terminals, you work in a thriving and lucrative industry. This is also a dangerous industry that sees many accidents every year. Galveston maritime lawyers are available and have the expertise to help you if you are injured on the job, either in the port or on a ship out at sea.
The Port of Galveston
The busy Port of Galveston is a major tourist destination. The coastal town itself draws in visitors for beachside retreats.
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There are three main types of maritime industry at the Port of Galveston:
- Cruises. Nearly 200 cruise ships set out from the port in 2013, with more than one million passengers coming and going. The revenue from the cruise industry here is over $10 million per year.
- Commercial Shipping. As a shipping port, Galveston is also a major center of industry. Over 300 cargo ships enter the port annually, accounting for almost five million tons of goods.
- Research. In addition to cruise ships and cargo and container ships, the port is also home to scientific research vessels. Boats heading out to conduct research in the Gulf, the Caribbean, and beyond start here.
The Dangers of Maritime Work
Jobs in the Port of Galveston range from stevedores and longshoremen moving cargo to and from ships to cruise line employees helping passengers in the terminal to truck drivers, electricians, maintenance workers, and more. It is a busy workplace with many different jobs and many dangers.
One significant danger in a port is the possibility of being struck by a large piece of equipment. For instance, the cranes used to lift cargo can become deadly if operated incorrectly or broken. They may tip over, drop elements or drop large containers that can hurt or kill nearby workers.
Falls are also a significant risk in a busy port. Workers may fall from walkways going to and from ships. They may fall from cranes and personnel platforms. They may simply trip and fall over obstacles in this crowded work environment.
Another issue can be exposed to toxic chemicals. Liquid cargo may be toxic and can lead to dangerous exposures if moved or stored incorrectly.
Working on the ships that come into the port is also dangerous. The smaller research vessels that leave from Galveston are more susceptible to bad weather and rough waters, which can cause capsizing, falls overboard, and injuries caused by shifting and tilting.
Workers on any ship may face the dangers of malfunctioning equipment, bad weather, fires, electrical problems, capsizing, or collisions with objects of other ships.
Port of Galveston Accidents
As a major port for cargo and cruises, Galveston has seen its fair share of accidents and incidents that have caused environmental problems, injuries to workers, and even deaths. Many of these accidents could and should have been prevented if only the right precautions had been taken.
Tanker Explosion
A major disaster occurred on a ship in 1990. A Norwegian tanker called the MV Mega Borg, experienced a big explosion when workers transferred petroleum cargo to another ship about 57 miles out in the Gulf from the Port of Galveston.
The explosion caused fires on the ship and a large oil spill into the Gulf waters. It was a major environmental disaster, but the incident also led to the death of two workers and the injuries for 17 others.
Fatal Fertilizer Explosion
In nearby Texas City in 1947, the worst maritime accident in the state occurred when a ship carrying ammonium nitrate fertilizer exploded. A fire in the engine room got out of control and heated the fertilizer to an explosive point.
The explosion was so large that it killed hundreds of people in the port. Thousands were injured, and the sound of the blast could be heard 250 miles away in Louisiana.
Crane Accident
The port area itself is also an area that is prone to accidents that cause injuries. In 2014 a large crane used for lifting cargo broke and injured four workers.
The crane operator was lifting a piece of a wind tower from a ship that weighed 60 tons when the crane broke. There was some kind of malfunction in the crane, which may have been related to the weight of the load.
Ship Collision
In the waters of ports like Galveston, it can be crowded. Lack of communication between ships is severe and can lead to collisions like the one that occurred in 2014. A local pilot was bringing in a large cargo ship when it collided with a barge carrying oil.
No one was hurt, but the collision led to a major oil spill, with more than 150,000 gallons leaking into the water.
Both visibility and communication likely played roles in the accident. Local pilots had agreed to close the port that day due to fog, but one pilot decided to bring a ship in any way. The barge captain claimed that the pilot did not communicate his position.
Legal Resources for Galveston Workers
Workers who are injured on the job in the maritime industry have a right to compensation thanks to maritime laws.
It’s not always easy to get that compensation, especially when employers and their insurance companies do everything they can to deny workers that money.
If you have been injured in the port or on a ship, you can rely on a Galveston maritime lawyer to help you fight that battle. A good lawyer can help you decide which laws apply to you and your situation, file a claim, complete all the paperwork correctly and on time, and represent you in arbitration and trials.