Collisions
We have acted for owners, negotiated salvage compensation and negotiated with cargo interests and charterers. In addition, we have advised upon the rights of ancillary tugs to claim salvage.
Sinking
We have investigated the circumstances surrounding the loss of vessel at sea and established the unseaworthiness of the vessel and the owners’ wilful misconduct.
We have pursued a claim for cargo loss arising from sinking of cruise ship, the “Sun Vista”. This vessel sank on 21 May 1999 following a fire in her engine room. We established cause and liability and investigated flaws in the managers’ ISM system.
Salvage
We have advised on negotiation of salvage compensation and advice on recovery of salvage contribution by cargo interests where vessel was unseaworthy.
Limitation of liability
We have acted for cargo interests and underwriters who suffered losses arising from collisions. We have disputed an owner’s right to establish a limitation fund and determined claims against a limitation fund. The issues were:
- rights of affected parties to investigate an incident causing loss in order to establish conduct barring limitation;
- constitution and distribution of fund;
- effect of limitation fund – bar to other actions?
- limits of liability;
- right of limitation.
Damage to Machinery
We acted for the owners of the heavy-lift vessel Titan II when her crane was damaged in a hurricane off the coast of Texas.