Captain & Crew Coverage
Crew members aboard a vessel aren't covered by standard workers' compensation — they fall under federal maritime law. Captain & crew coverage provides Jones Act, USL&H, and Maritime Employers Liability protection for the people who run your charter.
Crew Coverage Under Maritime Law
If you employ a mate, deckhand, or relief captain, ordinary state workers' compensation usually does not apply to them. Vessel crew are "seamen" under federal law, and their injury claims fall under the Jones Act and general maritime law — which can expose an uninsured owner to far larger judgments than a state comp claim ever would.
Captain & crew coverage is built for this. It provides the maritime equivalent of workers' comp and employer's liability for your crew: medical care, maintenance and cure, lost wages, and defense against Jones Act negligence claims when a crew member is hurt on the job.
Jones Act vs. USL&H vs. State Comp
Three different systems can apply depending on who's hurt and where:
- Jones Act covers "seamen" — crew assigned to a vessel in navigation (your mate, deckhand, captain).
- USL&H (Longshore & Harbor Workers' Act) covers maritime workers on the dock, pier, or in the shipyard — not at sea.
- State workers' comp covers your land-side, non-maritime employees (office staff, for example).
Getting the wrong policy — or assuming one comp policy covers everyone — is a frequent and expensive mistake. We map each role to the correct coverage so an injured crew member is actually protected.
Maritime Employers Liability (MEL)
For operators who don't fit a standard Jones Act program, Maritime Employers Liability (MEL) provides crew injury coverage on an occurrence basis. We determine whether MEL, a Jones Act endorsement, or a combined approach best fits your operation and payroll.
What's Covered
Frequently Asked Questions
Usually not. Vessel crew are 'seamen' under the Jones Act, and state workers' comp generally excludes them. Crew injuries require Jones Act / maritime employers liability coverage — a standard comp policy can leave you personally exposed to a maritime negligence suit.
The Jones Act covers crew working aboard a vessel in navigation. USL&H (the Longshore Act) covers maritime workers on docks, piers, and in shipyards. Which one applies depends on where the worker is injured and their role — we structure coverage to match.