Texas Officials Call for More Safety Regulations in Wake of Recent Boating Deaths
According to the National Legal News, the recent drowings on Lake Travis near Austin, Texas and the ferry accident last year that killed 20 people have "prompted Texas state and local offices to seek better regulation of commercially operated vessels." Click here to read the full article.
Although the Jones Act covers Jones Act seamen injured on vessels, there is no federal counterpart for passengers on commercial vessels outside general maritime law and Coast Guard regulations, which have proved inadequate to prevent recent disasters on commercial vessels.
The federal government has a uniform set of laws that govern commercial trucking companies. It makes perfect sense to consider such rules for commercial vessels and boats as well, particularly given the potentially catastrophic consequences of unqualified captains or poorly maintained or manned commercial vessels.
Although the Jones Act covers Jones Act seamen injured on vessels, there is no federal counterpart for passengers on commercial vessels outside general maritime law and Coast Guard regulations, which have proved inadequate to prevent recent disasters on commercial vessels.
The federal government has a uniform set of laws that govern commercial trucking companies. It makes perfect sense to consider such rules for commercial vessels and boats as well, particularly given the potentially catastrophic consequences of unqualified captains or poorly maintained or manned commercial vessels.
