Kure Shipping SA and Anr v Louisiana Pacific Corp and Anr - US District Ct (ND California)(Hamilton DJ) - 27 August 2001

Vessel incurring hull damage while shifting along loading dock - Whether dock owners liable in negligence for condition of dock - Whether shipowners liable for negligent shiphandling

In the early morning hours of 5 November 1997 the vessel Kure, an ocean-going bulk carrier, was loading its cargo holds with wood chips at a dock located in Humboldt Bay, California. As the vessel shifted along the dock, to fill additional holds, it struck the dock. The vessel's hull was punctured, and fuel oil spilled into the bay. The Kure's owners sued the defendants, who were the owners of the dock, for negligence. The defendants counterclaimed for the damage inflicted on the dock, alleging that it was the plaintiffs' negligence which caused the accident.