Marine repair company sued for $500,000 after engine explodes

A marine repair and maintenance company is facing a lawsuit for more than $500,000 in property damage after a vessel's main engine exploded.

Offshore Specialty Fabricators and Offshore Express filed suit against Dumas International on Feb. 7 in federal court in New Orleans.

According to the lawsuit, the incident occurred on Feb. 12, 2010 as the M/V Offshore King was towing the D/B Swing Thompson in the vicinity of Eugene Island Sea Buoy in the Gulf of Mexico. The vessel suffered a broken crankshaft and explosion of the starboard main engine.

The plaintiffs accuse Dumas International of negligence, breach of duty, omissions and for failing to properly perform its job aligning the vessel shaft.

Offshore Specialty and Offshore Express are asking the court for more than $500,000 in damages for property damage, plus costs, expenses and interest.

Located in Patterson, La., Dumas International is a marine and industrial services company that comprises of marine diesel engine repair and maintenance, marine gear repair and maintenance, precision alignments and thruster repair and maintenance.

The plaintiffs are represented by Thomas G. O'Brien and Charles A. Cerise, Jr. of Adams and Reese in New Orleans.

U.S. District Judge Martin L. C. Feldman is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:11-cv-00248