This blog presents Metropolitan Engineering Consulting & Forensics (MEC&F) claim management and claim investigation analyses of some of the typical claims we handle
General cargo vessel SAHIN KAYA lost control due to mechanical problem and strong wind, and allided with docked museum steam paddler REPUBLICA at Tulcea, Romania, Danube estuary, at around 1100 LT July 10.
Disabled vessel managed to drop anchor and prevent more serious accident. Understood REPUBLICA didn’t suffer serious damages, no information on Turkish freighter damages.
No injures reported. REPUBLICA was built in 1903 in Linz, Austria.
General cargo vessel KIUNGA CHIEF limped into Gladstone port Australia on July 4 after suffering engine failure off Gladstone. Vessel is docked in Gladstone until fixing the problem. 14 crew meanwhile, suffer food shortage, and were helped with food by Mission to Seafarers.
Sail ship JOHANNA reported taking on water at 2122 LT July 9, while cruising with 149 passengers and 7 crew on board off Nesottddtangen, inner Oslofjord.
Understood crew intentionally grounded the ship to avoid sinking. JOHANNA sank by stern, resting on bottom with hull and superstructure partially above the water.
By 2300 all people were rescued and transported ashore, no injures reported. JOHANNA is one of the oldest sail ships in use in Norway, she was built in 1892. Tonnage is 115 BRT, length 28 meters, flag Norway, operator AS and Batservice Sightseeing AS.
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is asking big-box retailer Costco to stop its purchase and sale of salmon exported from the Faroe Islands until the Faroes end the slaughter of pilot whales and other cetaceans, known as the grindadráp or grind.
Actors Richard Dean Anderson (MacGyver), Eric Balfour (Haven), Rutger Hauer (Blade Runner), Ross McCall (24: Live Another Day), Cliff Simon (Stargate SG-1), Clive Standen (Vikings); actresses Shannen Doherty (Charmed and Beverly Hills, 90210), Perry Reeves (Entourage) and Red Hot Chili Peppers front man Anthony Kiedis have teamed with Sea Shepherd to send a letter to Costco CEO Craig Jelinek from the organization’s founder, Captain Paul Watson.
The letter comes on the heels of last week’s news that a pod of 30-50 pilot whales was slaughtered in the first grindadráp of the year, on the island of Viðoy in the Danish Faroe Islands archipelago.
The letter to Jelinek expresses concern that chain-store giant Costco is selling salmon farmed in the Faroe Islands, an archipelago of 18 isles in the North Atlantic, where hundreds of wild, migrating cetaceans are slaughtered each year.
Describing this massacre of ocean wildlife, the letter states that “entire pods of pilot whales and dolphins are driven by hunting boats to the shallow waters along the Faroe Islands…. Those cetaceans who are not herded far enough into the shallows will have a gaff hook stabbed into their blowholes and will be pulled ashore the rest of the way by rope. The panicked and thrashing whales or dolphins are then slowly sawed into, behind their blowhole with a special Faroese hunting knife and killed by the severing of their spinal cords, as each animal is brutally slaughtered before the eyes of their family members. No member of the pod is spared, not even pregnant females or juveniles.”
Though Faroese whalers claim that the grind brings a quick and humane death, some of these highly intelligent and socially complex marine mammals take as long as four minutes to die, says Sea Shepherd.
The letter to Jelinek continues, “As a large and respected member of the corporate retail community, Costco should not condone these acts of brutality by economically supporting the Faroese salmon fishery. Costco can apply economic pressure to end the atrocity known as the ‘grind,’ a whale hunt that should be deemed illegal by the anti-whaling E.U. but yet is supported by Denmark, a part of the EU. Mr Jelinek, Costco, and you as its CEO, now have the opportunity to show your members and the international community that you represent a company of compassionate individuals who care about the fate of intelligent and sentient whales and dolphins as well as the oceanic eco-systems upon which they – and all life on Earth – depend for survival.”
Sea Shepherd says the grind is an outdated practice as the Faroese people have one of the highest standards of living in all of Europe and access to the same foods found in grocery stores in Denmark. In addition, Faroese health officials have warned against consumption of the pilot whale meat, especially by children and pregnant women or women of childbearing age, because it is contaminated with neurotoxins such as mercury.
Watson said: “These compassionate celebrities have offered their desperately needed voices to the pilot whales who were killed recently in the Faroe Islands and to those who are at risk each time they pass by Faroese shores. We must make it known that the blood of intelligent and social whales and dolphins stains every package of salmon from the Faroes. This archaic massacre of cetaceans, defended by the E.U.-member nation of Denmark, must be sunk economically. I encourage all concerned consumers to do their part by boycotting salmon from the Faroe Islands at Costco and wherever it is sold.”
Since 1983, Sea Shepherd has sent ten campaigns to the Faroes, saving hundreds of whales and dolphins while dealing with the arrest of Sea Shepherd volunteers and the seizure of the organization’s boats.
Faroese law states it is illegal to interrupt the killing and illegal to sight a pod of whales and not report it. To further protect the Grind from outside interference, this year the Faroese enacted laws that prohibit Sea Shepherd crew from entering their waters and wearing Sea Shepherd shirts on land.
This year, in response, Sea Shepherd Global announced Operation Bloody Fjords, a new operation targeting the massacre of pilot whales in the Faroe Islands.
Food Culture
Whaling has been practiced in the Faroe Islands since about the time of the first Norse settlements on the islands in around the 10th century. It is regulated by the Faroese authorities. Around 800 long-finned pilot whales and some Atlantic white-sided dolphins are killed annually.
The hunts are non-commercial and are organized on a community level. Anyone can participate, but special training is necessary to kill the whale with the spinal lance.
The hunters first surround the pilot whales with a wide semicircle of boats. The boats then drive the pilot whales into a bay or to the bottom of a fjord. Not all bays are certified, and the slaughter will only take place on a certified beach.
Many Faroese consider the hunt an important part of their food culture and history.
The construction works on the Prelude floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) project resumed immediately after a small fire which occurred at the site in South Korea, where the vessel is being built, Reuters cited the oil and gas giant Shell.
The fire was reportedly a result of an incident at the site in Samsung Heavy Industries’ Geoje shipyard.
The incident did not impact the delivery date, Reuters added.
Relevant authorities launched an investigation into the cause of the fire.
World Maritime News contacted Shell for details on the matter, but the company is yet to reply.
Shell Prelude FLNG platform, the world’s largest offshore facility ever constructed, will be towed over 3,000 nautical miles from Geoje to Australia once constructed.
There, the 488 metres long and 74 metres wide FLNG facility will be positioned before it begins production at the Prelude gas field in the Browse LNG Basin, 200km off the northwest coast.
The Shell Prelude FLNG facility features a fully loaded displacement capacity of about 600,000 tons, and has around 260,000 tonnes of steel in the facility alone.
Texas Governor Burned in Accident; Could Miss GOP Convention
By will weissert, associated pressDALLAS — Jul 10, 2016, 8:00 PM ET
Republican Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas sustained "extensive second- and third-degree burns" on both legs below the knees and on both feet and could miss next week's Republican National Convention.
Spokesman Matt Hirsch said Sunday that Abbott was in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, on Thursday when he was scalded in an accident involving hot water. He didn't provide further details.
Hours later, a Dallas gunman killed five police officers. Abbott held a press conference in Dallas on Friday, but didn't disclose being burned. Hirsch says Abbott's legs were wrapped but covered by pants.
Abbott has used a wheelchair since a tree fell on him while jogging in 1984, paralyzing him below the waist.
Abbott is heading Texas' delegation to the Republican convention in Cleveland. But Hirsch said his attendance is now "day-to-day."
Many people have suffered burns in the various hot springs of the Jackson Hole. For example, a boy experienced burns to one of his limbs at the Morning Glory Pool
within the national park and was later airlifted to the St John’s
Hospital in Jackson, WY. ==============================
Hot Springs
Image by BJ Hansen from AllTrips.com
There are a number of hot springs that are great for a soak located in the greater Jackson Hole area.
Yellowstone National Park Hot Springs While a majority of the hot springs and geysers in Yellowstone are
too hot for swimming, keep your eyes peeled for the Firehole and Boiling
Rivers, two popular spots for enjoying a swim or a soak. Two additional
hot springs, Dunanda Falls and Ferris Fork Pool, can be accessed by a
day or overnight hike. Here are all the places that you can enjoy
soaking in hot springs in Yellowstone:
The Boiling River is located near Mammoth Hot
Springs and is probably the most popular spot for swimming. Hot water
pours over rocks as it enters the cold waters of the Gardner River,
which provides a safe and enjoyable spot for the whole family.
The Firehole River is located near the West Entrance
in the Lower Geyser Basin. In the heart of the summer, it might be hard
to find a parking place to enjoy these waters but there is a reason why
it can be so busy. The warm waters of the Firehole offer the perfect
temperature for a long soak and the river is wide enough that you can
easily share the waters with its many visitors.
Huckleberry Hot Springs Huckleberry Hot Springs are located in the John D. Rockefeller
Parkway, just south of Yellowstone and north of the Grand Tetons. These
hot springs are primitive and very muddy but nonetheless, their remote
location makes them ideal. Access to these pools is open year-round and
provides for a great cross-country route in the winter.
Granite Hot Springs Granite Hot Springs are located south of Jackson Hole. Follow route
26/189/89/191 south out of town until Hoback Junction. Turn left and
continue on 189/191 until you see signs for Granite Creek. In the summer
months you can follow a 11-mile dirt road into the hot springs. A pool
has been built to capture the water but the fresh hot spring water
constantly flows through the pool. There is a small fee for use of the
pool which you can pay upon arrival. Facilities include a bathroom and
changing room. You can also find undeveloped pools below the developed
pool along the river but this often involves wading across the icy
waters of Granite Creek to access. In the winter months, you can access
Granite Hot Springs by snowmobile rental or tour, dog sled ride, or a long cross-country ski trail (rentals available in town). Call 1-307-734-7400 for details or find more Granite Hot Springs info. Kelly Warm Springs
Located north of Jackson, Wyoming and just outside of the town of Kelly
along the Gros Ventre Road, the Kelly Warm Springs offer perfectly warm
and not to hot waters for a good summer soak.
A man hit by a CTA Blue Line train Friday night at the Austin Boulevard stop died from touching the electrified third rail, not from injuries suffered when he was hit by the train, authorities determined following an autopsy.
The third rail contains the 600 volts of direct current that is used to propel L trains.
The person made contact with the train about 7:15 p.m., said Jeff Lyon, a CTA spokesman. Lyon did not have information on the person's injuries.
The man, identified as a 47-year-old Cicero resident, was pronounced dead at 8:08 p.m., according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. He died from electrocution caused when he fell on the electrified third rail in an accident, the medical examiner's office determined following an autopsy Saturday.
Oak Park fire officials responded to the incident at the "L" station on the Oak Park side of Austin, according to a Chicago Fire Department spokesman.
=========================
Cicero man dies after falling onto Blue Line tracks in Oak Park
A Cicero man died after he fell onto the third rail and was struck
by a CTA Blue Line train Friday night in west suburban Oak Park.
Louie
M. Delao, 47, of the 1400 block of 61st Avenue "made contact with a
train" about 7:15 p.m. at the Austin station, according to the CTA and
the Cook County medical examiner's office.
An
autopsy Saturday found Delao died of electrocution after a fall onto
the third rail, according to the medical examiner's office. His death
was ruled an accident.
Trains ran on a single track for about two
hours as crews cleared the scene, but as of 9:55 p.m., service had
resumed in both directions with residual delays, transit officials said.
============================
Third Rail and Trolley Shoes
The gravity third rail shoe and
sleet scraper are seen on the fresh, clean trolley block on brand-new
car 5011 on October 6, 2009. For a larger view, click here. (Photo by Tony Coppoletta)
Third rail systems are a means of providing electric traction power
to trains, and use an additional rail (called a "conductor rail",
"trolley rail", or simply the "third rail") for the purpose. On most
systems, the conductor rail is placed on the ends of the track ties
outside the running rails (the rails the train wheels rest on) -- the
"L" uses this placement -- but in some cases a central conductor rail
placed between the running rails is used. The conductor rail is
supported on ceramic insulators or insulated brackets, typically at
intervals of 10 feet or so. The conductor rail is usually made of high conductivity steel, and
the running rails have to be electrically connected using wire bonds or
other devices, to minimize resistance in the electric circuit. On rail
systems where the traction power is transmitted through rails, there has
to be a positively-charged rail and a rail for the negative return. In
some systems, there are two separate rails besides the running rails for
this purpose, one positively charged and one negatively charged. On
other systems, like the "L", the third rail carries the positive charge,
and the negative return is sent through one of the running rails. The electric current is transmitted from the conductor rail to the
train's motors and power systems through metal contact blocks called
"third rail shoes" or "trolley shoes" (or, often, simply "shoes") which
make contact with the conductor rail. The shoes slide along the top of
the conductor rail, with power transmitted by their physical contact. The conductor rails have to be interrupted at level track crossings,
at crossovers and switches, and at grade crossings with streets, and
ramps are provided at the ends of the conductor rails sections to give a
smooth transition to the train shoes.
Copyright 2016 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Chris Gros/ABC15
Helicopter down in Waddell; pilot status upgraded Clayton Klapper 12:58 PM, Jul 10, 2016
WADDELL, AZ - The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office says deputies are on the scene of a helicopter down in Waddell Sunday afternoon.
It happened near Olive and Sarival avenues around 12:30 p.m.
MCSO says the pilot suffered life-threatening injuries and is being transported to the hospital.
UPDATE: MCSO is investigating the downed aircraft which has been confirmed to be a helicopter. Pilot sustained life-threatening injuries— Chris Hegstrom (@MCSOChris) July 10, 2016
Officials later upgraded the pilot's condition, saying he was expected to survive.
The helicopter is believed to be a crop-dusting helicopter.
No other people were believed to be onboard at the time. No word yet what caused the helicopter to go down, or the extent of the damage.
Fatal crash into West Austin Domino's Pizza. (Photo: Brian Bell/KEYE TV) By Alex Murphy Sunday, July 10th 2016
AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Police Dept. is investigating after a vehicle crashed into a Domino's restaurant early Sunday.
Crews responded around 6:40 a.m. Sunday to the Domino's Pizza on Mesa Drive near Steck Avenue after reports of a vehicle leaving the roadway. According to police, a man in his 20s was heading eastbound on Steck Avenue at a high rate of speed in his silver sedan.
The driver lost control at the Mesa, Steck intersection and crossed the parking lot on the southwest corner of that intersection. That vehicle then slammed into the Domino's pizza building after rolling at least one time police say.
The Austin Fire Department arrived to extract the man from his vehicle but was pronounced deceased just before 7:00 a.m.
Police say the man is described as a younger white male in his 20s. No identity is being released at this time pending next of kin notification.
Investigators do believe speed was a factor in this crash based on the damage done to the property involved but there is no word on if alcohol or intoxication was a factor. Police are thankful that there were no other injuries in this crash as the intersection is high in pedestrian traffic.
DEAN SCHABNER Sunday, July 10, 2016 12:58PM Some of the passengers who became ill on a Delta flight from Atlanta to Denver Saturday afternoon -- prompting its diversion to Tulsa, Oklahoma -- had elevated levels of carbon monoxide in their bodies, a Tulsa Fire Department official said Saturday evening.
The cause of the increased carbon monoxide levels was not yet determined. An investigation continues.
Once passengers went outside and got fresh air, their levels returned to normal, said fire department spokesman Stan May
"The flight crew of Delta flight 1817 from Atlanta to Denver elected to divert to Tulsa when a few customers reported feeling ill," the Atlanta-based airline said in a statement Saturday afternoon. "The safety and security of our customers is our top priority."
Initially, officials at Emergency Medical Services Authority in Tulsa said 100 people had been assessed, and nine reported having the same symptoms -- but the cause was unknown.
Then later in the day, May released the information about the elevated carbon monoxide levels, adding that the number of people complaining of symptoms had risen 12. One person was taken to a hospital, but he said it was not related to the carbon monoxide.
Officials were re-screening passengers at about 8:30 p.m. local time to get them on another Denver-bound plane.
==
Overlooked Safety Issue Carbon monoxide poisoning is a safety issue that pilots tend to ignore, even though it is the most common industrial poisoning accident in the United States. When carbon monoxide poisoning occurs, it can have significant and fatal consequences for aircraft occupants. Carbon monoxide is a by-product of the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing materials. Aviation fuel contains carbon and is a ready source of carbon monoxide when burned. Expect carbon monoxide whenever an internal combustion engine is operating, and even though piston engines produce the highest concentrations of carbon monoxide, exhaust from turbine engines could also cause carbon monoxide poisoning. In addition, expect carbon monoxide whenever a fire occurs, as commonly happens in a post-crash environment. Carbon monoxide is truly a hidden menace because by itself, it is both a colorless and odorless gas. An individual would not be aware of its presence until symptoms developed, or during treatment it was determined exposure had occurred. The least desirable situation would be incapacitation. In this case, the victimis powerless to do anything about the exposure.
Fortunately, because it is a by-product of combustion, carbon monoxide is frequently associated with other gases that do have an odor and color. By avoiding an environment with known combustion fumes, you will also avoid carbon monoxide. The true problem comes when exposure is so gradual that you don’t perceive it. You can become incapacitated before you can vacate the environment. In an airplane, the result most likely will be a fatal accident.
Why Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Should Concern Pilots and Passengers What is not known is the full extent of carbon monoxide poisoning in aviation. Analysis of toxicology samples from fatal U.S. aircraft accidents between 1967 and 1993 showed that at least 360 victims had been exposed to sufficient carbon monoxide before or after the crash to impair their abilities. Non-fatal carbon monoxide poisoning in aviation is likely a more common occurrence than currently believed. No one is sure how many times pilots or passengers became ill, not realizing they had been exposed to carbon monoxide. Because no significant incident or incapacitation occurred, the matter was not reported and, hence, not investigated. Symptoms that could be attributed to airsickness, altitude hypoxia, fatigue, or a variety of other conditions actually could have been carbon monoxide poisoning. Exposure and symptoms may occur repeatedly over several flights until, finally, someone suspects carbon monoxide or, tragically, an accident claims a victim. No database presently exists that accurately collects or tracks non-fatal aviation carbon monoxide exposure information.
Toxicity Mechanism Carbon monoxide has a very high affinity for hemoglobin, the molecule in blood responsible for transporting oxygen through the body. Carbon monoxide has affinity of 240 times that of oxygen. Carbon monoxide tightly attaches to the hemoglobin, creating the compound carboxyhemoglobin, which prevents oxygen from binding, thereby blocking its transport. The result is hypoxia but through a mechanism different from that produced by altitude. However, with respectto symptoms, the end-effects can be very similar. There should be little or no carbon monoxide in the blood of individuals who have not been exposed to smoke or other by-products of combustion. People living in polluted urban environments may have between 3-10% carboxyhemoglobin concentrations because of the carbon monoxide contained in the smoke and fumes they inhale, while a cigar smoker could have up to 15%.
People in certain occupations such as foundry workers, welders, mechanics, firefighters, and tollbooth or tunnel attendants that expose them to products of combustion may also have elevated carbon monoxide baseline levels. Symptoms The most common symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure are shown in Table 1. These symptoms are typical for an individual with normal hemoglobin at sea level. You can expect these symptoms to worsen at altitude and/or appear sooner than they otherwise would. Wide personal variations may also occur, depending on the circumstances andwhether or not the indificual smokes.
Protection From Carbon Monoxide Exposure First and foremost is pilot education and awareness. Pilots must understand the danger posed by carbon monoxide poisoning and should be alert to the symptoms. Any unusual cabin smell or sensation of illness should call for immediate troubleshooting. • Turn the cabin heat fully off. • Increase the rate of cabin fresh air ventilation to the maximum. • Open windows if the flight profile and aircraft’s operating manual permit such an action. • If available (provided it does not represent a safety or fire hazard), consider using supplemental oxygen. • Land as promptly as possible. • Do not hesitate to let Air Traffic Control know of your concerns, and ask for vectors to the nearest airport. • Once on the ground, seek medical attention. • Before continuing the flight, have the aircraft inspected by a certified mechanic.
Safeguards • The best protection against carbon monoxide poisoning is to avoid exposure. • Aircraft operators and pilots must ensure that heating/ventilation systems and exhaust manifolds in their aircraft are all in good working order, as specified by the manufacturer and the Federal Aviation Administration. • Certified mechanics must conduct all required inspections. • Special attention should be paid to older aircraft because of corrosion or simple wear and tear. • A certified mechanic should verify firewall and aircraft structural integrity and seal any defects.
•Finally, several devices are available to monitor for carbon monoxide. The least expensive are handheld or stick-on colorimetric devices that change color in the presence of carbon monoxide. Whileeffective, they are not perfect or foolproof. Powered detectors for aviation use are available as either portable or panel-mountedunits and provide greater reliability.
16-year-old electrocuted by downed power line in Taylor Heavy storms moved through area Friday By Sierra Pedraja - Digital News Editor Posted: 1:13 PM, July 09, 2016 Updated: 6:17 PM, July 09, 2016
TAYLOR, Mich. - A teenage boy was electrocuted Friday night in Taylor after encountering a downed power line, police say.
Authorities with the Taylor Police Department have identified the boy as 16-year-old Austin Kane Wohlfeil.
Police said the teen and his 20-year-old brother encountered a downed wire in their backyard around 8 p.m., Friday, on the 6000 block of Michael Street.
The older brother contacted their parents, who were away at the time.
Police say the victim was squirting the line of smoke from the live wire with a large squirt gun when both brothers received a jolt and were knocked down.
The older brother was able to get up, but his younger brother did not.
The father of the boys arrived at the home and attempted to administer aid to his son.
The boy was transferred to Beaumont Hospital in Dearborn where he later died.
DTE released the following statement:
"This is a tragic incident, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the young man."
The Taylor Police Department said the victim was a sophomore at Truman High School.
"This is a tragic accident to say the least." said Mary Sclabassi, chief of the Taylor Police Department.
The downed electrical line was a result of storms moving through the area. =============================
Staying safe near fallen power lines
DETROIT - High winds are expected Thursday which can mean fallen power lines. What do you do when you see a downed power line? If you see a downed power line: - Call DTE Electric Immediately at 800-477-4747. - Assume the wire is hot. Just because there aren't sparks, doesn't mean the line isn't carrying electricity. - Don't touch a fallen power line or anything touching the wire. Always stay 25 feet away from a downed power line. - Do not touch anything or anyone in contact with a fallen power line. - Stay away from water near downed power lines, even small puddles.
- If a fallen power line comes in contact with your vehicle, STAY
INSIDE until help arrives. If you must leave, jump clear of the
vehicle. - Be careful not to stand under damaged tree limbs or power lines - Be especially cautious near metal fences around the area. Take a look at DTE Energy's Outage Map here.
Storm tips
Never drive across a downed power line. If a power line falls on your vehicle, remain inside until help arrives. Don't open refrigerators or freezers
more often than absolutely necessary. A closed refrigerator will stay
cold for 12 hours. Kept closed, a well-filled freezer will preserve food
for two days. Turn off or unplug all appliances to prevent an electrical overload when power is restored. Leave on one light switch to indicate when power is restored. Always operate generators outdoors to avoid dangerous buildup of toxic fumes. If a customer is elderly or has a medical condition that would be adversely impacted by a power outage, they should try to make alternative accommodations with family or friends. During low-voltage conditions
– when lights are dim and television pictures are smaller – shut off
motor-driven appliances such as refrigerators to prevent overheating and
possible damage. Sensitive electronic devices also should be unplugged. Stay out of flooded or damp basements or other areas
if water is in contact with outlets or any electrically-operated
appliance. The water or moisture may serve as a conductor of
electricity. This can cause serious or even fatal injury. Assemble an emergency kit.
It should include a battery-powered radio, a flashlight and candles,
extra batteries, a first-aid kit, a fire extinguisher, bottled water and
non-perishable food. Customers who depend on electrically powered medical equipment
should ask their physician about an emergency battery back-up system.
If a customer is elderly or has a medical condition that would be
adversely impacted by a power outage, they should develop an emergency
plan that allows for alternative accommodations with family or friends. Keep a corded or cell phone on hand
because a cordless telephone needs electricity to operate. Also,
customers should learn how to manually open automated garage doors. Customers who depend on a well for drinking water need to plan ahead on how they will obtain water. Store containers of water for cooking and washing.
A city worker who was injured in his
back and knees when a metal walkway came off its tracks recently reached
a settlement with the city of Athens, records show.
According to
Limestone County Circuit Court records, James McWilliams signed a
settlement agreement and petition on June 7. The document was filed June
10 in Circuit Court. A judge accepted the agreement June 20.
Williams was working for Athens Utilities on Feb. 20, 2015,
when the walkway came off causing him to fall through the floor and
injure himself. He underwent surgery on both knees followed by physical
therapy and returned to work Oct. 26 at the same or higher pay.
The
amount of wages and the value of fringe benefits to which McWilliams
was entitled to is or may be disputed questions, the settlement stated.
However, both parties agreed on the amount of his average weekly pay per
week. The city paid for his medical treatment and related expenses. It
paid temporary total disability benefits for three weeks and four days
in the amount of $3,126.
Both parties agreed McWilliams incurred a 2 percent permanent
partial disability to his body for which he is entitled to receive
compensation from the city at the rate of $15.63 a week for 296 weeks,
or a total of $3,953. However, they agreed to a settlement of all issues
for a lump-sum payment of $5,203, with McWilliams retaining his right
to re-petition the court in case of lost employment as provided under
the “return to work” clause of Alabama Code 25-5-57 (a) (3).
McWilliams
will be entitled to no further compensation, benefits, damages or
payment from the city for the injury except future medical/surgical
expenses as provided by the stature in effect at the time of his injury.
View of development in south Edgewater, NJ with Hudson River and Manhattan in background. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
USCG JOINT PRESS STATEMENT ON THE HUDSON RIVER
CABLE REPAIR NEW
YORK (January 5, 2015) - Hudson Transmission Partners, LLC (HTP), owner
and operator of an electric power cable buried beneath the Hudson River
between Edgewater, New Jersey and New York City, is working closely
with the U.S. Coast Guard, the New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection (NJDEP), the New York Department of Environmental
Conservation (NYDEC), and other agencies to contain the release of small
amounts of non-toxic cable fluid into the Hudson River. The fluid
release was detected on Saturday and is the apparent result of damage to
a portion of the cable in the Hudson River near the New Jersey
shoreline in Edgewater.
Spill responders were dispatched to the
area on Saturday and have contained the cable fluid with booms and
absorbent materials. The rate of leakage is estimated at three to four
gallons per hour. The fluid, which is used inside the cable for
insulation, is considered non-toxic and biodegradable, and there are
currently no observed environmental impacts in the area.
The
precise location, cause, and extent of the cable damage is under
investigation by means of cable testing and underwater reconnaissance.
The results of the investigation will determine the means and method for
cable repair. The cable was de-energized immediately upon detection of
the fault and will remain out of service until permanent repairs are
made.
The cable was installed in the Hudson River in December
2011 as part of the Hudson Transmission Project, completed in June of
2013, and is capable of carrying up to 660 MW of electric power between
New Jersey and New York City. The project includes a High Voltage Direct
Current (HVDC) converter station in Ridgefield, New Jersey, and
slightly more than seven miles of cable buried on land and beneath the
river between Ridgefield and West 49th Street in Manhattan.
Describing this massacre of ocean wildlife, the letter states that “entire pods of pilot whales and dolphins are driven by hunting boats to the shallow waters along the Faroe Islands…. Those cetaceans who are not herded far enough into the shallows will have a gaff hook stabbed into their blowholes and will be pulled ashore the rest of the way by rope. The panicked and thrashing whales or dolphins are then slowly sawed into, behind their blowhole with a special Faroese hunting knife and killed by the severing of their spinal cords, as each animal is brutally slaughtered before the eyes of their family members. No member of the pod is spared, not even pregnant females or juveniles.” 
