EAST ST. LOUIS — The U.S. Government is suing a barge company whose vessel and barges caused damage to a wall and gate at the Melvin Price Locks and Dam near Alton.
The United States of America filed a complaint Sept. 13 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois against Ingram Barge Company LLC and others, alleging violation of the Rivers and Harbors Act and other claims.
According to the U.S. Government's complaint, the defendant's vessel, the M/VR. Clayton McWhorter, was being used on July 17, 2018, to tow its barges southbound on the Mississippi River near Alton. The suit states that as the M/VR. Clayton McWhorter approached the Melvin Price Locks and Dam and the dam's auxiliary lock chamber, the vessel and barges struck the wall of the facility. The suit states that the wires connecting the vessel and the barges then parted, and the six lead barges struck the upstream auxiliary lock's miter gate.
The United States claims the captain and crew failed to properly navigate and control the defendant's vessel, keep a proper lookout and maintain a safe distance from the locks and dam. They also claim the captain and crew failed to make any evasive maneuvers to avoid the collision and that Ingram failed to properly vet the fitness of the vessel's pilot and unseaworthiness of their vessel.
The plaintiffs seek monetary relief, interest and all other proper relief. They are represented by Acting Assistant Attorney General, Civil Division Brian Boynton, U.S. Attorney Steven Weinhoeft and Attorney Jessica Sullivan of the U.S. States Department of Justice.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois case number 3:21-CV-01125-GCS