Tug-Barge Expert Witness Services - Tug-Barge Related Casualties

Fisher Maritime personnel have analyzed dozens of boating casualties involving a wide variety of recreational and small craft. The fundamental causes of nearly every conceivable type of casualty has been analyzed, including manufacturing defects, design defects, operator error, supplier error, maintenance/repair error and failure to warn, among others.

We have analyzed a number of tug-barge related incidents including collisions, fires, falls, and injuries. We have also analyzed casualties involving larger vessels as well as small recreational vessels. Examples of specific cases in which we have have been involved include the following:

Tugboat operations while handling sanitation scows.
Damages to a dock facility caused by the passing of a ship at a high rate of speed.
Deckhand line handling injury aboard a tugboat assisting in the docking of a large petroleum barge.
Slip and fall by an able seaman while on a crossover ladder aboard a large petroleum barge.
Injury sustained during wire cable handling operations while rigging a tugboat to a large petroleum barge.
Slip and fall by an able seaman from a recessed hull ladder in the side of a large barge.
Injury sustained during towline rigging operations in transitioning a tugboat from the towing along side to towing astern.
Injury sustained during the use of an anchor windlass gypsy head to heave in bow mooring lines aboard a large petroleum barge.
Collision between a pleasure craft and a tugboat pushing a large petroleum barge.
Deckhand injury during wire cable rigging operations in connection with securing his vessel to a large petroleum barge.
Injury sustained during the loading of wire push-gear cables aboard a tugboat.
Governmental agency claim for raising and clean-up costs in connection with a towboat sinking in a inland river.
Injury sustained from communication issues with deck personnel during the shifting of a petroleum product barge from a lay berth to a loading berth.
Legal malpractice in connection with a case involving tugboat work associated with dredging operations.
Injury sustained during the rigging of cargo discharge hoses aboard a large cement barge.

We have analyzed dozens of tug-barge casualties in the past years, providing technical advice and expert witness services. Usually those matters are settled or resolved before going to trial. If you are interested in a more detailed background of Fisher Maritime's experience as it applies to your specific needs, please feel free to contact us.