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\nFederal prosecutors filed a lawsuit against a towboat, its barges, and the company operating the towboat, following a crash into the McAlpine Dam in 2023.<\/p>\n
\nFederal prosecutors filed a lawsuit against a towboat, its barges, and the company operating the towboat, following a crash into the McAlpine Dam in 2023.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s piers, and one submerged against tainter gate 1.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors allege the towboat and its operators failed to navigate, operate the vessel safely, and failed to properly hire, train, and supervise the crew.<\/p>\n
No trial date has been set.
\nSource: WAVE<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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