What is the ‘seaworthiness doctrine’?

The ‘seaworthiness doctrine’ is a legal concept that applies to the maritime industry in Washington. It holds that the owner of a vessel has a legal responsibility to make sure that their vessel is fit and safe for crew and passengers before putting it to sea. In other words, the vessel must be ‘seaworthy’. The owner is liable for any damages or injuries suffered by crew or passengers that can be attributed to any failure to ensure the vessel is seaworthy. For a vessel to be considered seaworthy, it must meet a certain set of standards. This includes that the vessel is legally registered and licensed, that it is fit and capable of navigation, that it has necessary safety equipment and that it is properly manned by a competent crew. Further, the vessel must have been provided with proper maintenance, repairs, and care, and it must be supplied with a sufficient quantity of the necessary fuel, food, and water. The seafarer or passenger may file a claim against the owner of the vessel in order to recover damages caused by the vessel’s unseaworthiness. This is where maritime injury law applies in Washington. If an injured party can successfully prove that their injuries were a result of the vessel’s unseaworthiness, they can then recover damages for these injuries.

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What is the ‘seaworthiness doctrine’?

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