Boating Accidents

September 10, 2020

Federal District Court in Massachusetts Holds that Jurisdiction Outside the United States is More Convenient Forum for Boating Accident Case

One of the first considerations in a personal injury lawsuit in Massachusetts, such as a negligence claim arising from a Cape Cod boating accident, is the forum in which the plaintiff’s claim will be filed. Often, there is but a single possibility for the filing of such a case, so the inquiry is a relatively simple one.

However, some situations lend themselves to the possibility of jurisdiction in more than one court – a state court or a federal court, perhaps. Sometimes, two states may arguably both have jurisdiction over a given case.

Rarely – but sometimes – two different nations may have jurisdiction of a particular lawsuit. In such a situation, it is up to the court system to decide which nation’s court will provide the more convenient forum based on the situation at hand.

June 26, 2015

Enjoy Your Summer, Massachusetts, but Beware of Dangerous Products

By John C. Manoog III

Summertime and the living is … well, it’s supposed to be easy, but with numerous recalls of foods, toys, and recreational equipment, there’s never a good time to take a vacation from being a cautious consumer. Fortunately, there are some websites that help consumers keep track of the latest in safety recall information. (Of course, not every dangerous or defective product is recalled, so a particular product’s absence from a recall list is not a guarantee of safety.)

To be on the safe side, take a few minutes to peruse these government websites for the latest information before embarking on your particular variety of summer fun.

October 2, 2013

New Bills Hope To Strengthen Laws Against Drunken Boat Operators

By John C. Manoog III

Cape Cod’s connection with the sea gives it a rich history with the boating industry. Inhabitants have a deep connection with boating as a result. Boating safety and the prevention of boating accidents have always been a major concern for many Cape Cod residents. Consequently, the ramifications of boating while intoxicated have been in the news of late. The South Coast Today reported that Cape Cod constituents have requested that a local Cape Cod politician reintroduce several bills to the Massachusetts House of Representatives that would strengthen the Boating Under the Influence (BUI) laws.

The two bills, H1658 and H1659, aim to apply the same results for operating a motor vehicle under the influence (OUI) as for operating a motor boat under the influence (BUI). Currently, Massachusetts has two separate statutes for a BUI and an OUI. Supporters of the new bills hope they will fix some perceived weaknesses of the laws. For example, a BUI is not listed on a motor vehicle record, and without pulling a criminal history it is hard to determine whether an individual has a BUI. Furthermore, there is no way to prevent an individual with multiple OUIs or BUIs from registering or operating a boat. In Massachusetts, a boat operator does not need a license to operate a boat, but they are required to register their vessels. There is nothing preventing someone with several BUI or OUI charges from purchasing and registering any number of boats.

This problem has been highlighted in some high profile BUI cases. For instance, during a 2009 Independence Day celebration, an intoxicated Cape Cod man steered his boat into a secured fireworks area. Authorities were able to stop the operator and charge him with a BUI. It surfaced in the press that the operator already had five convictions for drunk driving and seven more for operating a boat intoxicated. Astonishingly, he had been able to purchase and register the same boat he steered into the fireworks area. Massachusetts was able to prevent him from operating a car intoxicated as he had previously lost his driver’s license for life; however, there was nothing to prevent him from registering and driving his boat. Continue reading