NEW ORLEANS – A barge owner alleges it was damaged after the ship towing it was struck by another vessel.
American Commercial Barge Line LLC filed a complaint on Sept. 26 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against the vessel St. Rose and Higman Barge Lines Inc. alleging that they failed to provide a seaworthy vessel and competent crew.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on Oct. 6, 2015, the vessel St. Rose collided with the vessel Anita Eve Sharp and its tow, plaintiff's barge CHEM3234, near Crown Point. The plaintiff alleges the incident caused damages of more than $200,000 and that despite amicable demand, said amount remains unpaid.
The plaintiff holds the St. Rose and Higman Barge Lines Inc. responsible because defendants' crew allegedly failed to maintain a proper lookout, failed to take proper evasive actions to avoid collision and proceeded at an excessive rate of speed.
The plaintiff seeks a warrant for the arrest of the subject vessel, compensation for all damages, plus interest, costs of this proceedings and all other relief to which the court deems proper. It is represented by Scott A. Soule, Randy J. Hoth and Emily C. Canizaro of Blue Williams LLP in Mandeville.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana Case number 2:16-cv-14946