In October 2024, SMBP maritime attorneys, Megan A. Sullivan and Jim Barbiere, organized and presented a series of “Maritime 101” learning sessions to 40+ managers, employees, in-house counsel, and claims personnel for a long-time client of the firm, offering an introduction to maritime law, how to protect the client from liability, as well as compliance with Coast Guard requirements. Topics included Jones Act seaman status, maritime causes of action, Coast Guard’s incident reporting requirements, internal incident investigations, and the newly implemented requirements under the Safer Seas Act. SMBP is happy to present learning sessions on any number of maritime topics to your staff and/or at your next Captain’s meeting. Please reach out to either Megan A. Sullivan at mahrens@smbplaw.com or Jim Barbiere at jbarbiere@smbplaw.com to schedule.

On January 13, 2018, a multi-barge breakaway occurred from the Jacks Run fleet in Pittsburgh, PA resulting in millions of dollars of loss and damage to the barges and a complex maze of litigation, which remains pending in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. In the course of its representation of one of the barge owners, SMBP pursued a contractual indemnity claim for reimbursement of the barge owner’s first-party losses, damages, and expenses arising from the breakaway. The indemnitor repeatedly denied the claim, prompting the filing of a Motion for Partial Summary Judgment. On July 20, 2021, Judge Horan granted the Motion, holding the indemnity provision unambiguously requires the indemnitor to provide indemnity for the barge owner’s first and third-party losses, damages, expenses, and liability arising from the breakaway, regardless of fault or a determination of what or who caused the breakaway.

On February 13, 2019, the tow of the M/V Miss Dixie suddenly and without warning veered into the path of and collided with the tow of the M/V D. & R. Boney, causing severe damage to the lead barge in the M/V D. & R. Boney’s tow.  On behalf of the M/V D. & R. Boney’s owner and operator, SMBP filed an Intervening Complaint against the operator of the M/V Miss Dixie in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.  After taking the deposition of the Captain of the M/V Miss Dixie, SMBP filed a Motion for Summary Judgment on both liability and damages.  Judge Milazzo granted the Motion, awarding SMBP’s clients their full measure of damages, plus pre- and post-judgment interest.