Van Deursen v. Dunlap Towing Co.

Jack Van Deursen commenced an action to recover damages for the loss of several crab pots allegedly destroyed by Dunlap Towing Company (Dunlap). Van Deursen resides on Camano Island, Washington, and makes his livelihood as a crab fisherman. Specifically, Van Deursen owns approximately 87 crab pots located in Utsalady Bay. Dunlap is engaged in the business of towing logs in the Puget Sound area.1

' In February of 1974, Dunlap's vessel, the Vulcan, departed Goat Island (see appendix) with a log tow and proceeded in a generally southeasterly direction through *283the Swinomish Channel. Upon reaching…