In re the Complaint of Walker's Midstream Fuel & Service Co.

MEMORANDUM OPINION

JOHNSTONE, Chief Judge.

This admiralty action arose out of a marine casualty which occurred during the early morning hours of March 3, 1981, at the Smithland Locks and Dam near Mile 918.5 of the Ohio River. On that date, the downriver bound M/V ROBERT DARON (hereinafter “DARON”) and its tow of six loaded grain barges struck the upriver end of a guard wall causing damage to the barges, their cargoes, and the dam. Walker’s Midstream Fuel and Service Company (hereinafter “Walker Midstream”) owns the DARON and employed the crew which manned the vessel at the time of the accident.…