Insurance for Marine, Ports & Waterfront Projects
Piers, wharves, seawalls, marinas and offshore structures live in the harshest environment a structure can face: saltwater, storms, scour and vessel impact.
Marine work also changes the insurance for your people, because staff working over water may fall under federal maritime compensation rules.
Why Marine Work Is Different
Steel, concrete and foundations deteriorate faster and in less visible ways.
Coastal structures are tested by events beyond typical design assumptions.
Berthing loads and mooring design affect working ports.
Staff on docks and vessels may need federal workers’ compensation coverage in addition to state coverage.
For example: the seawall that moved
Two years after a residential seawall replacement, a section tilts after a king tide, undermining a backyard pool. The homeowner claims repair costs from the engineer, alleging the tiebacks were undersized.
The soil data the engineer relied on, the design water levels, and the contractor’s installation records decide how the claim ends.
Hypothetical example for illustration. Coverage for any claim depends on the policy terms and the facts.
Marine, Ports & Waterfront: Common Questions
Do my employees need maritime workers’ compensation?
If they work on navigable waters or docks, they may fall under federal rules such as the Longshore Act. Tell us what they do so the policy matches.
Is offshore work covered by a standard policy?
Often it needs specific wording or a separate placement. Check the policy territory and any watercraft exclusions.
Are marinas treated as marine work?
Usually, yes. Docks, piers and bulkheads fall in the marine category on most applications.
Disciplines Most Active on Marine, Ports & Waterfront Projects.
Tell Us About Your Firm. We’ll Tell You What We See.
Starting out or renewing, with a policy in hand or not. If something is worth discussing, we’ll call. If not, we’ll say so.