Substantive Maritime Law News

In 1875, the General Moultrie was the first suction dredge built in the United States and was used in the Charleston River — until it sank within a year. During the same era, the city of Houston and other port towns formed companies like the Buffalo Bayou Ship Channel Company to build special-purpose vessels to clear and connect waterways for commercial vessel traffic. Toward the end of the 19th century, the cutter suction dredge made its appearance and effectively dug and maintained water channels.

In Horak v. Argosy Gaming Co., 2002 WL 1559095 (Iowa July 17, 2002), Leticia Morales, after an evening of drinking before boarding and while aboard the BELLE of SIOUX CITY, died in a one-car accident, during which her blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit. Her three children sued the riverboat casino's owner, Argosy Gaming Company, under the state's dramshop statute, under which comparative fault/apportionment of negligence rules do not apply. In other words, unlike under traditional maritime law comparative fault rules, Morales' own negligence, if any, would not reduce her surviving children's recovery.