Testimonials

• Brian, your book is a "what to do, and what not to do" guide.  Your book was a real eye-opener.  My company turned on me as soon as they realized I was seriously injured.  If I had read your book sooner, I would have avoided a lot of costly mistakes.  They really have a "bag" of tricks waiting on an injured worker.  I found everything in your book to be true.  These companies have a "kennel of pit bull attorneys" who attack injured workers legally, and use every trick in the book to keep from paying medical bills.  Captain Jim VickersMississippi

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What is a vessel?

A: According to Stewart v. Dutra, 523 U.S. 481 (2005), a vessel is “a watercraft that is used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation on water.”

Traditionally, the following are considered to be vessels: crew boats, supply boats, barges, drill ships, floaters, platforms, jack-up barges and work over rigs.

A floating casino that is permanently tied to the bank and never moves has been held to not be a vessel.

American courts have struggled to define what a vessel is.