Oceanic Fisheries, Inc. v. John Michael

HALL, District Judge.

The ultimate question for decision is whether or not the two tank cleaners were a part of the tackle, apparel, furniture and equipment, of the Tug, “John Michael”, on November 26, 1950 when the barge “Arctic Chief” being towed by the tug went adrift with her cargo of fish oil and sank en-route from Kodiak Island to Seattle.

The first problem is whether or not the tug and barge were operated as a unit. Claimant concedes that such may be the result only in collision cases; but from the cases cited and others examined, the question never turned on whether or not there was a…