Is a Commercial Diver Eligible for Jones Act Rights?
Whether a diver is covered under the Jones Act will depend on several factors. The most important of these is his connection with the vessel. If a commercial diver fulfills three essential conditions to be eligible for Jones Act seaman rights, he may be eligible for cover. • He must be assigned to a vessel • In navigation • And his duties must contribute significantly to the mission of the vessel A diver who works independently, and may be contracted by several vessels, therefore, may not have the significant connection with one particular vessel that is an essential requirement of a Jones Act claim. A commercial diver may also be considered eligible for a Jones Act claim if he makes use of breathing apparatus on a dive, unlike a free diver. A free diver, even if he is assigned to a vessel may not be considered eligible for a Jones act claim, because of the failure to use breathing apparatus. I Don’t Meet Jones Act Seaman Criteria. What do I Do? Commercial divers, who find that they ar
