In a tragic maritime accident near the Pell Bridge, Newport, RI, a woman lost her life when a powerboat collided with her catamaran.  The incident was reported by Rhode Island's Department of Environmental Management.  The woman was a dedicated and competitive sailor participating in a challenging distance race for two-person catamarans. 

Rule 6, Safe Speed, mandates that all vessels must at all times proceed at a safe speed so that they can take proper and effective action to avoid collisions and stop within a distance appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions.  The rule implies several factors that must be considered by a vessel's operator when determining what constitutes a "safe speed," such as the state of visibility, the traffic density, the maneuverability of the vessel (including stopping distance and turning ability), the background lights at night, sea state, wind, current, proximity to navigational hazards, and the vessel's draft in relation to the water depth.

This incident highlights the potential dangers faced by sailors and the importance of legal expertise in maritime injury law, areas where professionals like John Fulweiler, a Proctor-In-Admiralty specializing in maritime injury and wrongful death law, play a crucial role in advocating for safety and providing legal support to those affected by maritime accidents.  Fulweiler is well known for stating: "Partial justice is no justice at all."  In Fulweiler's opinion: "Collisions like these involve fault and marine insurers love to try and use ancient admiralty laws (like the "Limitation of Liability Act") to try and protect their marine insurance policies.  It's a joke.  You need maritime lawyers on your side who know how to fight.  Battle-tested lawyers; it's who we are."   

If you or a loved one are involved in a boating collision or boating accident, call the maritime law office of Fulweiler llc and speak to John Fulweiler.  With a boat injury practice headquartered in Newport, RI, Fulweiler llc represents clients nationally.

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