Infamy is not a term anyone wants to be associated with. But, in the case of a maritime incident gone viral, some of the world’s best and most experienced mariners have unwittingly become infamous. Just like James E. Mercante, Esq., a partner and maritime attorney at Rubin, Fiorella, Friedman & Mercante LLP, states in his recent article “The ‘Ever Given’ Will Ruin More Than Just a Muddy Canal,” “any type of major marine casualty will not only ruin a captain or pilot’s entire day, but can be agonizing and costly for years.”

As Mercante revisits several past and, sadly, still “infamous” marine casualties, it becomes painfully clear how vulnerable professional mariners are when the unimaginable happens. In many cases, regardless of how proficient and seasoned they are, the captains and pilots become not only the target of costly lawsuits, but the victims of a shattered reputation—prominently displayed in the court of public opinion.

Mercante sends the message home when he says: “Cases such as these demonstrate not only how hazardous—and delicate—a job maritime officers have, but how life can change for these hard-working individuals in an instant. There are not many jobs like that out there.”

In a world where news, both good and bad, travels so fast and so far, the need for license protection has never become more apparent. Consider the many benefits of having MOPS Marine License Insurance to protect not only your U.S.C.G. license, but your good reputation and livelihood as well.

Since 1935, MOPS has protected the licenses and livelihoods of more than 80,000 deck and engineering officers, state and federal pilots and certified tankermen.  

We cover USCG licensed officers operating aboard vessels of any size in every sector of the maritime industry.  If you want a quote, give us a ring at 800-782-8902, ext. 3608 or 3302.  Or fill out our online form and we'll email you a quote.