In the high-stakes world of maritime operations, preparation isn’t optional—it’s critical. From hurricanes and oil spills to onboard fires and equipment failures, emergencies can strike without warning. The consequences of being unprepared—financial, legal, operational, and reputational—can be devastating.

Jones Walker maritime practice attorneys Luis Llamas and Buddy Bardenwerper authored the Marine Log article “Boom! A Systematic Approach to Maritime Risks” published on March 19, 2025. The article provides maritime professionals with guidance on how to develop simple and effective emergency response plans by organizing them hierarchically (for operators and for managers) and temporally (left of boom, at boom, and right of boom). It’s a practical, insightful guide for operators, managers, and anyone responsible for keeping maritime operations safe and resilient.