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Posted in Maritime Accidents,Maritime Lawsuits,Texas Maritime News on March 13, 2012
U.S.D.C., TEXAS GALVESTON DIVISION – Texas maritime lawyer Gordon, Elias & Seely, LLP, represent the family of a deceased seaman who was forced to abandon the disabled Trinity II lifeboat during Tropical Storm Nate in the Gulf of Mexico and was lost at sea . The deceased was employed by GEOKINETICS, INC. at the time of the incident.
The Trinity Lifeboat II shown floating in the Gulf of Mexico.
GENERAL
ALLEGATIONS:
On September 7, 2011, Tropical Storm Nate hit the Gulf of Mexico where the liftboat, the Trinity II, was stationed in the Bay of Campeche working for Geokinetics, a U.S. company engaged to support offshore oil operations for the Mexican oil company Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex). On September 8, 2011, the winds and high seas disabled the Trinity II, causing the 10 member crew to abandon the Trinity II, and board a life boat. Because of the inclement weather all communications with the crew were lost and rescue efforts were hampered. Rescues were not completed until September 11th, but by this time 4 crew members had been lost.
The evidence proves that the Defendants had ample time to evacuate the vessel prior to the storm. Moreover, the life boat did not have communication and GPS devices that would have enabled a safe rescue.
The Plaintiff was from Canada.
PLAINTIFF/INTERVENOR:
This intervention into this lawsuit is brought by the decedent’s wife as well as their minor children. The decedent was 41 years old and had been married for 13 years. He leaves behind a son and a daughter.
SUIT FILED:
November 4, 2011
DEFENDANTS:
TRINITY LIFTBOAT SERVICES – The Trinity Defendants owned the drilling vessel.
TRINITY LIFTBOAT SERVICES NO. 2
GEOKINETICS, INC. – Geokinetics, Inc. was Plaintiff’s employer.
MERMAID MARINE ASIA PTE LTD – The Mermaid entities owned a standby vessel that should have rescued the seamen.
MERMAID MARINE AUSTRALIA, LTD.
COMMENT:
Decedent’s mother filed a lawsuit against Defendants on behalf of her son. Decedent’s wife and minor children also filed suit on behalf of the Decedent. Apart from liability issues, an issue that will be debated in the case is whether a foreign citizen working in foreign waters for a U.S. company can file suit in a U.S. court.