On June 16, 2017, the Texas Supreme Court issued its much-anticipated decision in Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. v. Kelvin Gold, confronting whether an individual hired to assist with the overhaul of a vessel, who was subsequently injured in the performance of his duties, qualified as a seaman under the Jones Act. Concluding in the negative, the Texas Supreme Court reaffirmed the general principle that major overhauls that render watercraft practically incapable of maritime transportation are sufficient to remove those crafts from "vessel in navigation" status under the Jones Act. Continue reading >