People who own private yachts frequently hire full-time staff members or possibly short-term contract service providers. They may hire people to manage the vessel itself and to tend to their needs while on board.
In addition to the captain operating the yacht, there could be many employees helping make life or travel on a yacht as comfortable as possible. Those workers could end up in a difficult position if they suffer injuries due to the vessel being unsafe while out on the open ocean.
Workers might need to bring a claim for compensation on the basis of the yacht being unseaworthy. Who is liable in such scenarios?
Owners cannot delegate legal culpability
There are many legal and fiscal responsibilities that people can delegate to others. A yacht owner can make someone else responsible for navigation so that they don’t even need to be sober while they are on board.
However, under current federal rules, the owner of the vessel is ultimately the party responsible for ensuring its continual seaworthiness. They cannot eliminate that responsibility by delegating it to others.
Regardless of whether the workers on a yacht are agency professionals, direct-hire employees or independent contractors, they potentially have the same basic legal right to hold the yacht owner responsible for allowing the vessel to become unseaworthy if they suffer injuries as a result. Deferred maintenance or ill-advised cosmetic changes to a yacht could compromise its safety — especially during times of inclement weather.
Having experienced legal guidance when filing a claim of unseaworthiness could be beneficial for injured yacht workers and other maritime professionals.