Gaussoin v. Port of Portland

Defendant Cascade General, Inc. (Cascade), a shipyard, was performing repairs to the USNS MERCURY, an ocean-going vessel owned by the United States Navy. In carrying out its work, Cascade was required to move the MERCURY from its berth to a drydock in the Port of Portland. Plaintiff, a seaman, worked for defendant Brix Maritime (Brix) as a deck hand aboard the tug CLARKSTON, the vessel that was assisting the movement of the MERCURY. Plaintiff was injured when a line from the MERCURY broke and struck him as it was being transferred in the course of “making up” the tug to the vessel.

Plaintiff…