BATON ROUGE – Vessel owners allege they suffered $100,000 in damages after the vessel was struck on the Mississippi River.
MS Provence Schiffahrtsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG and FH Bertling Reederei GmbH filed a complaint on Feb. 10 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana against M/V Agapi S, Bright Navigation Inc., Empire King Navigation Inc., Cooper Consolidated LLC, RTI Barge Management Inc., et al. alleging negligence.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that on Feb. 9, 2016, plaintiff's vessel the M/V Solent sustained significant damages when it was struck by four barges on the Mississippi River. Plaintiffs allege they were damaged in the approximate amount of $100,000 for all survey costs and repairs.
The plaintiffs holds M/V Agapi S, Bright Navigation Inc., Empire King Navigation Inc., Cooper Consolidated LLC, RTI Barge Management Inc., et al. responsible because the defendants' Agapi S allegedly allegedly traveled at an excessive rate of speed in a restricted visibility and foggy condition, causing the barges to strike the plaintiffs' vessel.
The plaintiffs seek an order that defendants' vessels be condemned and sold to pay the amount due to plaintiffs, plus interest, costs and all other general and equitable relief. They are represented by Kevin J. LaVie and Adam N. Davis of Phelps Dunbar LLP in New Orleans.
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana Case number 2:17-cv-04965