Ernest E. Burgess v. M/v Tamano, Appeal of United States of America

ALDRICH, Senior Circuit Judge.

This appeal is from a finding of the district court for the District of Maine imposing upon the United States sole liability for a supertanker’s striking a submerged ledge, and a consequent oil spill. The government denies fault, or, at the least, asserts that the fault was not its alone, and contends that the district court’s contrary findings are clearly erroneous.

On July 22,1972, at 0120 A.M., on a clear night, the Norwegian supertanker M/V TAMANO struck Buoy 6, a lighted buoy marking Soldier Ledge in Hussey Sound, Casco Bay, Maine, and seconds later grazed…