Americas News
Kirby Sues for $10M over Houston Ship Channel Collision
Kirby Inland Marine LP (Kirby) has filed a lawsuit over last month's Houston Ship Channel collision seeking more than $10 million, the local legal journal Southeast Texas Record reports.
The suit targets bulk carrier M/V Summer Wind, its owner, Sea Galaxy S.A., and its operator, Cleopatra Shipping Agency Ltd., claiming their negligence led to the accident.
The March 22 incident, in which the Summer Wind collided with Kirby barges 27706 and 27705 and tugboat M/V Miss Susan, resulted in the release of 168,000 gallons of oil into the waterway and damaged both barges.
Kirby claims the collision has cost it more than $10 million in losses, damages, and expenses, and it is seeking a warrant of seizure and the sale of M/V Summer Wind to pay for damages, interest, attorney's fees, and court fees.
Kirby filed the suit in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas and is being represented by the Houston law firm Stepp & Sullivan PC.
Local news outlet KPRC Texas reported that the captains of both the Summer Wind and the Miss Susan were in communication about five minutes before the collision, and quoted the Summer Wind captain saying "If you keep on coming, I'm going to get you."
Kirby and Cleopatra Shipping Agency have both been targeted in a separate class action lawsuit filed by fishing businesses and others who lost money as a result of the collision.
