Federal Barge Lines, Inc. v. State

Claimant, Federal Barge Lines, Inc., seeks an award for damages to the M/Y Huck Finn in the amount of $14,098.81 by reason of a collision with the Brandon Road Bridge, which was alleged to have been negligently lowered by an employee of respondent.

Respondent did not offer any evidence in the case other than a Departmental Report, and predicates its defense on the failure of the M/Y Huck Finn to sound a long blast of the" whistle, which is the -signal to open the bridge, and is required by Rule No. 7 of the Federal Rules and Regulations governing the operation of draw bridges crossing the…