Federal prosecutors filed a lawsuit against a towboat, its barges, and the company operating the towboat, following a crash into the McAlpine Dam in 2023.
The suit seeks millions in damages. Prosecutors say the repair estimates to the Vane Dike mooring cell, tainter gate 1, and tainter gate 3 exceed $33 million.
Prosecutors say the Louis Develle, operated by Louisiana-based Florida Marine Transporters, was pushing a tow of 15 coal barges on January 29, 2023, downriver. At 4:30 a.m., the tow struck the mooring cell, damaging it and breaking apart the tow. The ten barges floated downriver to the LG&E hydroelectric plant and McAlpine lower dam. Seven barges got caught on the power plant intakes, three were pinned against the dam’s piers, and one submerged against tainter gate 1.
Photos contained in the lawsuit show the damage, including one of the gashes to the tainter gate. The hole dwarfs an inspector included in the photo.
Prosecutors say the equipment must be replaced, including the mooring cell, which has been leaning ever since the collision. The suit says no funding is available for the repairs.
Prosecutors allege the towboat and its operators failed to navigate, operate the vessel safely, and failed to properly hire, train, and supervise the crew.
No trial date has been set.
Source: WAVE
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