Completed by MEC Associates
Pollution Prevention—An Associate assisted in a bid preparation by a major pollution cleanup firm for a middle east contract to provide services and training for an expended period. This is an excellent example where employees were too busy to do the entire bid preparation and an independent contractor assisted. MEC Associates were also contacted to fill some of the positions.
Pollution—Pollution takes many forms. MEC Associates were involved in cases alleging noise pollution in an engine room of an uninspected vessel, water pollution from sewage outfall, air pollution from exhaust fumes effecting crewman’s health, and air pollution (smoke) citation against a ship. A unique case involved whether or not a state occupational safety and health agency may regulate noise and asbestos on board Coast Guard inspected vessels owned by the state (NO!). Two other cases involved maritime aspects of asbestosis claims.
Personal Injuries—Many of the cases handled by our Associates involve injuries to crewmembers or passengers. Associates lend their expertise to whichever side of the case is supportable. Among the cases handled lately were: Tug crew member slips on ladder, crew member slips on water from leaking window, passenger trips over coaming, two cases where passengers tell on steps, longshoreman falls off container, worker falls stepping to dock, etc.
Collisions—Furnished two experts to assist the Coast Guard in identifying hit and run ship which ran over a fishing vessel.
Groundings—Crew reaction and vessel movements were analyzed when a cargo vessel’s steering gear failed and the vessel grounded in Columbia River. In another case handled by the same expert, an analysis of the movements and a calculation of the amount of oil spilled were done when a Very Large Crude Oil Carrier (VLCC) grounded in Port Angeles harbor, Washington.
Hypothermia—Several cases have involved the pain and suffering aspect of hypothermia—caused deaths. MEC experts are among the most qualified in the world having done either research and development for the Coast Guard in this area or are medical doctors who have been involved in treatment of major cases (such as the climbers in the recent Mt. Hood catastrophe).
Small boat collisions or sinking—Several of the cases handled during the last six months involved water jet propelled boats—a boat which can have unique handling problems.
Container Problems—A MEC Associate recently conducted a security analysis of a major container terminal from which several containers had been stolen. Other Associates have examined lashing methods, ship handling in rough weather, and container construction to ascertain the cause of losses or damage.
Tanker Explosion—A MEC furnished expert is playing a major part in the litigation concerning the explosion of a tanker in San Francisco harbor.
Cordage—Several cases involved mooring lines which parted injuring or killing crew members. A number of the foremost experts on chain, line and wire rope are MEC Associates.
Coast Guard Regulatory Requirements—Because a number of MEC Associates (15%) have served in the Coast Guard marine safety program,, MEC is frequently called upon to furnish an expert to analyze the impact of Coast Guard proposals on the marine industry, or the application of existing regulations to particular situations. A recent case involved the validity of a Coast Guard citation. Another instance where the expert’s Coast Guard background has been effectively utilized was in assisting in the representation of a party before a Coast Guard Marine & National Transportation Safety Board after a major casualty. Nine people had been lost after being swept overboard from a charter boat.
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