NEW ORLEANS – Baton Rouge companies allege their barges were damaged after a collision on the Mississippi River.
Cooper/T. Smith Stevedoring Co. Inc. and Cooper Consolidated LLC filed a complaint on Feb. 10 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against Bright Navigation Inc. and the M/V Agapi S alleging negligence.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that on Feb. 10, 2016, the Agapi S negligently collided with plaintiffs' buoy block of 13 loaded hopper barges, causing the cables holding the barges to break. As a result, the barges allegedly sustained damages resulting in significant cost and expense currently calculated at $106,048.93. The plaintiffs hold Bright Navigation Inc. and the M/V Agapis S responsible because the defendants allegedly negligently caused a breakaway that resulted to damages at or about Mississippi Mile Marker 175.
The plaintiffs seek judgment in their favor in an amount not less than $106,048.93, plus interest, all costs of these proceedings, and all other general and equitable relief that the court deems proper. They are represented by Jason P. Waguespack, Frederick W. Swaim III and Andrew S. Respess of Galloway, Johnson, Tompkins, Burr & Smith in New Orleans.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana Case number 2:17-cv-01216