Illinois Constructors Corp. v. Logan Transportation, Inc.

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER

NORDBERG, District Judge.

I. INTRODUCTION

At approximately 11:50 p.m. on December 1, 1984, the towboat M/V 1 Sunshine was proceeding upstream on the Illinois River pushing a tow of eleven barges when it ran aground on a sandbar and, in the process of trying to extricate itself, hit a cofferdam situated on the north bank, causing $850,000 in damage. The owner of the cofferdam, Illinois Constructors Corporation (ICC), brought this admiralty suit against the owner of the vessel, Logan Transportation, Inc. (Logan), alleging that the pilot of the tow was negligent and…