4 Initial Steps for Dealing with a Crew Injury
Working on superyachts can be dangerous work for crewmembers. Michael Reardon of Reardon Yacht Consulting offers his advice on the top four steps to take if an accident does occur, or if a crew member suffers an injury.
Michael Reardon summarizes the top four steps to take when dealing with a crewmember accident or injury.
- Dealing with the medical emergency: Most yachts have all sorts of top-notch first aid equipment to use for the immediate injury. In port, dealing with first responders will be the next step after immediate first aid.
- Whether it’s at sea or in a marina, a crew accident must have the follow up of making sure that that crewmember is taken care of in accordance with their contract. Even more importantly, it is critical that they’re taken care of in a way that’s morally correct. There isn’t workman’s compensation on a yacht, but crew members must be taken care of. While there are laws protecting crew, but there is also just doing what’s right.
- Once the first aid trauma is dealt with, make sure that the crew member’s medical bills are paid. International maritime laws dictate that all crewmembers are entitled to what is referred to as “maintenance and cure.” This refers to food and lodging expenses of the crewmember (maintenance), as well as the medical treatment itself (cure). In other words, this is taking care of the person while they are unable to work and also ensuring their medical attention.
- Get in touch with your insurance company, and know there are two insurances that can be involved. There’s the crew’s health insurance, if they have it, and there’s also the vessel’s protection and indemnity, which can make all of this process potentially a little complicated.
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