Hawaii-based freight handling and transportation company
Young Brothers Ltd. has filed a lawsuit against the captain and first mate on
one of its tugboats, alleging that the first mate’s inebriation led to the
grounding of a tug and barge last Halloween.
The company, which is a subsidiary of Seattle-based Foss
Maritime, filed the suit Jan. 7 in US District Court. It alleges that the
captain of the tug Moana Holo knew that the first mate was drunk but still sailed
out of Nawiliwili Harbor on Oct. 31, 2014. The tug and the barge Maka’ala
became separated and struck a breakwater. Maka’ala’s hull was damaged and it
lost a 30-by-15-foot skeg; the Moana Holo suffered a breach to its
hull.
According to the lawsuit, members of the 10-person crew were
ordered to take an alcohol test immediately after, but did not take the tests
as required.
The captain and first mate were subsequently fired by the
company, but thus far no criminal charges have been pursued against them.
The US Coast Guard says it cannot comment on the matter
because it is still investigating the incident. Young Brothers also would not
comment other than in a statement it issued Jan. 8.
“We are not able to comment on this pending lawsuit related
to the incident at Nawiliwili Harbor last October,” Young Brothers Vice
President Roy Catalani said in the prepared statement. “However, Young Brothers
regrets that this incident occurred. We’re also grateful that no employees were
injured, no customer cargo was lost or damaged, and no fuel or oil leaked from
our vessels.”
Young Brothers has so far declined to state the amount of
damages it is seeking from the two defendants.
