References in U.S. Coast Guard policy calling hate symbols “potentially divisive” were removed Thursday, and a U.S. senator said she was lifting a hold she had placed on a nomination for the service’s top job. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, whose agency oversees the Coast Guard, said on social media that the latest changes were […]

WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. senator said Wednesday that she is pausing the nomination for the top Coast Guard job because leaders appeared to have “backtracked” on a commitment to ensure that swastikas and nooses are considered hate symbols and prohibited from being displayed. Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., said Adm. Kevin Lunday’s nomination for Coast […]

The United States seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela as tensions mount with the government of President Nicolás Maduro. “We’ve just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela, a large tanker, very large, largest one ever seized, actually,” President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House Wednesday, later adding that […]

The Reality of Hazardous Work Environments at Sea As a crew member on a cruise ship, you are entitled to a workplace that is as safe and secure as reasonably possible. While the goal is to operate without incident, the unique nature of a cruise ship presents various inherent risks. Like any other industrial environment, […]

Tragedy Aboard the Blue Star Chios Greek authorities have detained the captain and chief engineer of the Blue Star Chios ferry following the death of a 20-year-old crew member on Wednesday. The incident, which occurred in the vessel’s lower garage area, has sent shockwaves through the maritime community and sparked immediate industrial action. The victim, […]

  Understanding the Power of the Jones Act Established in 1920, the Jones Act (Merchant Marine Act) serves as a cornerstone of federal protection for maritime workers. Before this legislation, seamen were limited to seeking damages only if a vessel was proven „unseaworthy.” The Act revolutionized maritime law by allowing workers to pursue compensation for […]

Incident Overview British maritime authorities and press outlets have confirmed the death of a crew member following a tragic incident aboard the P&O cruise vessel Arvia. The fatality occurred just two days into a scheduled 14-day transatlantic voyage from the United Kingdom to the Caribbean. The Arvia, a massive 185,581-gross-ton vessel, is among the largest […]

The Critical Need for Maritime Accident Awareness When a maritime professional or a passenger sustains an injury on board, understanding the mechanics of the accident is the first step toward recovery. Gaining clarity on how and why an incident occurred empowers victims to move from a state of uncertainty to informed decision-making. This knowledge is […]

MIAMI – A legal battle has erupted against Royal Caribbean after a 35-year-old passenger, Michael Virgil, died during a December 2024 voyage. The lawsuit, filed in Miami federal court by his fiancée, Connie Aguilar, alleges that the cruise line’s negligence in over-serving alcohol and the crew’s subsequent use of excessive force led to the man’s […]