According to a report from Stars and Stripes, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) is scheduled to conduct a public hearing to review evidence in the capsizing of the Seacor Power, an oilfield boat that capsized a few miles of the coast of Port Fourchon, Louisiana in April of 2021. It was the worst maritime accident of the year. Here, our Houston, TX maritime injury lawyer explain what we know.
Terrible Accident: 13 Presumed Dead After Boat Capsized in Gulf
Seacor Power is an oilfield boat owned and operated by Seacor Marine Holdings, Inc., an offshore energy services company with headquarters in Houston, Texas. On April 13th, 2021, it was operating in the Gulf of Mexico during stormy conditions. A “microburst” of severe weather caused the ship to encounter winds of up to 80 miles per hour and very rough seas.
Tragically, the boat capsized and sank. According to official reports, there were 19 crew members aboard the vessel at the time of the incident. The United States Coast Guard was able to save six people in the immediate aftermath of the incident. Seven bodies were found in the weeks after the capsizing of the boat. The remaining six crewmembers were not located but are presumed to be deceased.
Two Weeks of Public Hearings Available In-Person and Online
There are still many questions that need to be answered regarding what exactly happened to the Seacor Power oilfield vessel. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is the primary federal agency responsible for the investigation of the incident. The USCG is also playing a supporting role in the investigation. Authorities expect the full investigation to take at least another 12 months.
The NTSB has released its preliminary report on the matter. The agency found that the boat left a port in Louisiana in the middle of the afternoon carrying equipment for offshore oil workers. Within hours, it capsized in a storm. It is clear that far more information is needed. Lawsuits are currently pending against the company. Family members of the victims contend that the captain negligently sailed directly into the storm that caused the capsizing of the vessel. As of now, the company is disputing these claims.
To help the investigation move forward, a public inquiry is beginning. From August 2nd, 2021 through August 13th, 2021 there will be public hearings on the capsizing of the Seacor Power. The hearings are set to be held at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel (142 Library Drive) in Houma, Louisiana. Additionally, the United States Coast Guard is livestreaming the entire proceedings. They can be seen at: https://livestream.com/uscginvestigations.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Maritime Lawyer in Houston
At the Kolodny Law Firm, our maritime law attorney has the professional skills and legal expertise to deliver results to victims and their families. If you or your loved one was harmed in an offshore accident, we can help. Call us now or contact us online to arrange a free, no obligation consultation. From our Houston law office, we advocate for the rights and interests of injured victims in the wider Gulf of Mexico region.
Alan Kolodny is committed to representing injured clients in Texas and throughout the United States. Alan earned his B.A. from Rice University and his J.D. from Southern Methodist University.
He focuses his practice on representing plaintiffs in personal injury cases involving the following matters: maritime and offshore accidents, including those under the Jones Act; automobile and 18-wheeler truck accidents; and industrial site accidents, work-related accidents, and claims for injured railroad workers under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act.
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