Donsan
Guru
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2014
- Messages
- 2,300
- Location
- United States
- Vessel Name
- No Mo Trawla
- Vessel Make
- Hurricane SS188
I got a boat safety magazine or flyer from Boat U.S. called Seaworthy which has a short discussion of the COLREGS and a couple of cases. The first case was a large boat traveling 20 knots which struck and destroyed a smaller boat which was drift fishing killing 2 of the three people on the smaller boat. The article goes on to cite various COLREG issues involved. A court battle took place and the court assigned 60% of the blame to the larger boat and 40% of the blame to the smaller boat.
No issues here with the COLREGS. What I don't quite understand is what the 60%/40% means. Does it mean because the larger boat was mostly to blame that it is responsible for all the costs and liable for wrongful death or does it mean the larger boat only has to pay 60% of the total damages and 60% of any wrongful death awards?
Should probably ask a lawyer but don't have enough boat bucks for their hourly rate!
No issues here with the COLREGS. What I don't quite understand is what the 60%/40% means. Does it mean because the larger boat was mostly to blame that it is responsible for all the costs and liable for wrongful death or does it mean the larger boat only has to pay 60% of the total damages and 60% of any wrongful death awards?
Should probably ask a lawyer but don't have enough boat bucks for their hourly rate!