Canton Marine Towing News

Captain Casey M. Herschler Joins North American Marine Consultants. Captain Casey M. Herschler has been named Director of New Business Development for North American Marine Consultants. Capt. Herschler will be responsible for developing new business ventures including new vessel and barge construction as well as conducting vessel, structure, facility and cargo surveys, insurance assessments and monitoring new construction, conversion and repair processes for clients. Captain Herschler…

Over a vigorous dissent, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit ruled that a moored cleaning barge is a vessel for purposes of the Jones Act. In the instant case, plaintiff barge cleaner was injured while being ferried from shore to his work site on a moored cleaning barge. The barge was secured in position in the Missouri River by spud poles embedded in the river bottom. The barge was relocated on occasion by being towed. The trial court held, on a summary judgment motion, that the barge was not a vessel in navigation and, thus, plaintiff was not a seaman for purposes of the Jones Act. The appellate court, relying on a recent Supreme Court decision, ruled that “in navigation” was not a requirement for seaman status under the Jones Act.