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LOUISIANA RECORD

Friday, March 29, 2024

Harbor services accuses vessel owner, operator of negligence

Cargo ship 06

BATON ROUGE — A harbor services provider is suing a ship owner and operator, alleging negligence led to damaged property.

Weber Marine LLC filed a lawsuit June 8 in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana against M/V Garibaldi Spirit, Tanker Investments Ltd. and Teekay Marine (Singapore) PTE, Ltd., alleging negligence in failing to comply with the navigation customs and/or usage.

According to the complaint, on June 26, Weber Marine was in control of a tier of 14 barges and one push boat on the lower Mississippi River when a swell created by V Garibaldi Spirit caused the barges and the push boat to break free from their mooring. The suit says the barges drifted downriver until it collided with a dock owned by Yara International Fertilizers, causing Yara's barges to sustain damages as high as $200,000. The plaintiff's barges also sustained damages, the suit alleges. 

The plaintiff alleges the Garibaldi Spirit caused the collision when it passed another vessel at an excessive rate of speed and too close to plaintiff's tier of barges.

Weber Marine seeks a trial by jury, judgment of at least $500,000 plus interest, and such other relief as the law requires. It is represented by attorneys Anthony J. Staines, Craig W. Brewer and Corey Parenton of Staines & Eppling in Metairie.

U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana Case number 3:16-cv-00372

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