Matheny Ex Rel. Matheny v. Tennessee Valley Authority

OPINION

SUHRHEINRICH, Circuit Judge.

This is an admiralty action arising out of a collision in which the wake of the Defendant-Appellant Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) tugboat Patricia H capsized a small fishing boat. Plaintiff Ronald Math-eny, a passenger in the fishing boat, died as a result. After a bench trial, the district court concluded that Matheny’s death was caused by the negligent operation of the tugboat and that the TVA was not entitled to limitation of liability under the Limitation of Liability Act, 46 U.S.CA. § 30505 (West 2007), because the captain’s actions were within the…