Law suit filed over alleged damages after incident on Mississippi

A vessel owner and operator have filed a suit over alleged damages after an incident on the Mississippi River. The Provence Schiffahrtsgesellchaft mbH & Co. KG and FH Bertling Reederei GmbH filed a complaint on Feb. 10, 2017, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana against the Agapi S, Bright Navigation Inc., Cooper Consolidated LLC, et al. alleging negligence. According to the complaint, the plaintiffs alleged that in February 2016, the "Solent" was properly moored and anchored in the lower Mississippi River when the "Agapi S" passed at an excessive rate of speed and caused defendants' barges to break loose from their moorings and struck the "Solent" which allegedly sustained significant damages. The plaintiffs holds "Agapi S", Bright Navigation Inc., Cooper Consolidated LLC, et al. responsible because defendant "Agapi S" allegedly negligently operated at an excessive rate of speed in a restricted and foggy condition and traveled to closely to the east bank of the facility. The plaintiffs requested that the vessels be condemned and sold to pay for plaintiffs' damages, interest, and any other general and equitable relief. They are represented by Kevin J. Lavie and Adam N. Davis of Phelps Dunbar LLP in New Orleans.