Florida Marine Transportation Inc., New Orleans, La. filed the charges in Louisiana State Court claiming the coating material inside the barge hull voids was a food source for bacteria that was causing the premature deterioration of the steel. There has been no reported problem with the tank holding the petroleum. The barge company said they had taken three of the 18 barges out of service due to the corrosion problem and they were working with the U.S. Coast Guard inspection department in New Orleans to investigate the problem. "We are working with the Coast Guard and the preeminent scientist in the country on this problem", said Jason Belcher, Florida Marine president. "We think this is an industry problem that will impact other carriers", Belcher added.