Fire and Explosion Claims on Vessels

Fires and Explosions on the Water

A fire aboard a vessel can become dangerous very quickly. Boats often contain fuel, electrical systems, engines, batteries, cooking equipment, and other potential sources of ignition, while passengers and crew members may have limited options for escaping once a fire begins.

An explosion can be even more sudden, giving people little or no warning before they are exposed to flames, smoke, flying debris, or the force of the blast.

Fires and explosions may occur on recreational boats, charter vessels, fishing boats, tugboats, commercial ships, cruise ships, and other watercraft. Determining why the incident occurred is an important part of identifying who may be responsible.

Common Causes of Vessel Fires and Explosions

Many different mechanical problems, maintenance failures, or unsafe practices can start a fire aboard a boat. Potential causes include:

• Leaking fuel lines or tanks
• Gasoline vapors accumulating in enclosed spaces
• Electrical wiring failures
• Overheated engines or machinery
• Defective batteries
• Improperly stored flammable materials
• Propane or cooking-equipment failures
• Poor vessel maintenance
• Defective equipment or components
• Unsafe welding, cutting, or other repair work

Gasoline vapors can be particularly dangerous because they may accumulate in enclosed engine or fuel compartments before encountering an ignition source. Federal regulations require ventilation systems on certain motor vessels to help remove explosive or flammable gases from these areas.

Recreational vessels may also be required to carry Coast Guard-approved marine fire extinguishers when engines, fuel systems, or other vessel features create a potential fire hazard.

Fires During Maintenance and Repair Work

Some vessel fires begin while maintenance or repair work is underway.

Welding, cutting, burning, and similar activities are often called hot work because they create heat or sparks capable of igniting nearby materials or vapors. These operations can be especially dangerous aboard vessels, where fuel, wiring, insulation, and other combustible materials may be located in confined areas.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires certain shipyard employers to inspect work areas for fire hazards and take precautions before allowing hot work to begin. Depending on the circumstances, those measures may include removing or isolating hazards and providing a fire watch.

A shipyard, repair contractor, vessel owner, or employer may come under scrutiny when unsafe maintenance practices contribute to a fire or explosion.

Injuries Caused by Vessel Fires

A vessel fire can cause much more than direct burn injuries. People may inhale toxic smoke, be struck by debris during an explosion, or become trapped below deck. Possible injuries include:

• Severe burns
• Smoke inhalation
• Lung and respiratory damage
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Hearing loss
• Eye injuries
• Broken bones
• Cuts and blast injuries
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement
• Drowning or nonfatal drowning injuries

Some passengers or crew members may be forced to jump into the water to escape the flames, creating additional risks from currents, cold water, nearby vessels, or a lack of flotation equipment.

Severe burns may require surgery, skin grafts, rehabilitation, and long-term medical treatment.

Responsibility After a Vessel Fire or Explosion

Determining liability usually requires identifying what caused the fire and who was responsible for preventing that hazard. Potentially responsible parties may include:

• The vessel owner
• The captain or operator
• A charter or tour company
• An employer
• A shipyard or maintenance contractor
• A fuel supplier
• An equipment or component manufacturer
• Another company responsible for inspecting or servicing the vessel

For example, a maintenance company may have improperly repaired a fuel system, while a vessel owner may have continued operating the boat despite signs of a leak. In another case, defective electrical equipment or a faulty battery may point toward a manufacturer.

More than one party may share responsibility when several failures contribute to an accident.

Claims for Injured Maritime Workers

Crew members and other maritime workers may have additional rights depending on their job and relationship to the vessel.

Workers who qualify as seamen may be able to bring a claim against their employer under the Jones Act when employer negligence caused or contributed to an injury suffered during employment.

Other maritime remedies may also apply depending on the circumstances, including claims involving an unseaworthy vessel or rights to maintenance and cure.

The protections available can vary significantly depending on the worker's duties and where the accident happened.

Evidence After a Fire or Explosion

A detailed investigation may be necessary to determine where a vessel fire started and why. Helpful evidence may include:

• Photographs and videos
• The damaged vessel and equipment
• Fire investigation reports
• Coast Guard reports
• Maintenance and repair records
• Fuel-system records
• Electrical inspections
• Vessel logs
• Witness statements
• Video statements
• Surveillance footage
• Manufacturer recalls or safety notices
• Crew training and safety records
• Medical records

Preserving damaged equipment can be particularly important. Repairing, disposing of, or altering the vessel before the cause has been investigated may make it harder to determine what failed.

Compensation After a Vessel Fire

People injured in vessel fires or explosions may face substantial medical expenses, lost income, rehabilitation, permanent disabilities, or ongoing care needs.

Depending on the circumstances, a claim may seek compensation for medical expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, future treatment, and other losses. Fatal accidents may also give eligible family members or the person's estate grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim.

Morgan & Morgan May Be Able to Help

Vessel fires and explosions can leave passengers, crew members, and their families facing devastating injuries and unanswered questions about what went wrong.

Morgan & Morgan's maritime accident attorneys can investigate the cause of the fire, preserve important evidence, identify potentially responsible parties, and fight for the compensation you may deserve.

Contact Morgan & Morgan for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. With The Fee Is Free™, you pay nothing unless we win your case.