Totem Marine Tug & Barge, Inc. v. North American Towing, Inc.

REAVLEY, Circuit Judge:

North American Towing, Inc. (North American) applied for confirmation of an arbitration award against Totem Marine Tug and Barge, Inc. (Totem), which sought to vacate or modify the award. The arbitrators’ decision held that Totem had breached the charter agreement between the parties and awarded North American damages of $74,568.08. The district court confirmed the award. 429 F.Supp. 452 (E.D.La.1977). Because of irregularities in the conduct of the arbitration hearing which materially prejudiced Totem, we reverse.

FACTS

On June 19, 1975, Totem and North American entered…