Midshipmen-Cadet Suits Against Maersk Line, Limited
Midshipman X v. Maersk Line, Limited | Midshipman Y v. Maersk Line, Limited, S.C.S.N.Y.N.C.
Attorneys Involved in the Case
Procedural History
- 2022-11-21 – Midshipman Y and Maersk Line, Limited reached a confidential agreement resolving her litigation against the company.
- 2022-11-18 – Midshipman X and Maersk Line, Limited (MLL) announce that they have resolved Midshipman X’s litigation against the company filed in New York Supreme Court in June for sexual assault and harassment during her cadet Sea Year in 2019.
- 2022-06-14 – Complaints filed by Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight and Maritime Legal Solutions, PLLC against Maersk Line, Limited on behalf of Midshipman X and Midshipman Y, respectively, alleging violations of the Jones Act, General Maritime Law, and anti-discrimination laws.
The complaints alleged that Maersk Line, owner and operator of commercial cargo vessels, violated the Jones Act, General Maritime Law, and anti-discrimination laws by failing to adequately protect two female students from sexual assault and sexual harassment while they worked aboard the Maersk M/V Alliance Fairfax as part of the U. S. Merchant Marine Academy’s “Sea Year” program.
The complaints further alleged that, despite being aware of the history of sexual assault and harassment on its ships, Maersk failed to institute adequate safety and prevention measures. As a result, during their Sea Years, Midshipman X was raped by her superior officer and another cadet who goes by the moniker “Midshipman Y” was subjected to extreme sexual harassment by a crewmember.
On November 11, 2022, the claims were voluntarily dismissed after the parties reached a settlement.
News Coverage
- The US Merchant Marine Academy Grapples with Gender-Based Violence, Hakai Magazine, May 1, 2023
- Lawsuits filed against shipping giant Maersk for sexual assault of US Merchant Marine cadets, El País , August 23, 2023
- Sexual abuse and harassment ‘systemic’ on ships, Lloyd’s List, June 17, 2022
- USMMA cadet suits: Women assaulted, abused on training ships during year at sea, Newsday , June 15, 2022
- Two students sue Maersk, alleging sexual assault and harassment, CNN, June 15, 2022
- U.S. cadets suing shipping company, alleging rape and harassment at sea, The Washington Post, June 15, 2022
- A merchant navy cadet is suing Maersk, saying the company failed to protect her from rape and sexual harassment on board one of its ships, Business Insider, June 15, 2022
- ‘Midshipman X’ Reveals Her Identity in Suit Against Maersk Line Ltd., The Maritime Executive, June 14, 2022