NEW ORLEANS – A Port Allen towing vessel owner alleges a collision on the Mississippi River caused more than $1 million in damage to its barges.
Deloach Marine Services LLC filed a complaint on April 6 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against Marquette Transportation Co. LLC and M/V Justin Paul Eckstein alleging negligence.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on Jan. 26, 2016, plaintiff's towing vessel Vanport was pushing four Ingram barges down the Mississippi River when defendant M/V Justin Paul Eckstein and her tow negligently caused a collision with the lead barges in plaintiff's tow. The plaintiff alleges it suffered damages of approximately $1,172,739.30. The plaintiff holds Marquette Transportation Co. LLC and M/V Justin Paul Eckstein responsible because the defendants allegedly failed to give way and to allow Vanport and her tow to pass before topping around.
The plaintiff requests seeks service process be made against M/V Justin Paul Eckstein, judgment be rendered in plaintiff's favor and award for all other relief it is entitled to receive. It is represented by Alfred J. Rufty III and Rufus C. Harris III of Harris & Rufty LLC in New Orleans.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana Case number 2:17-cv-02970