Farmers file suit claiming saltwater intrusion from damaged Leland Bowman Lock

Posted: Feb 6, 2012 6:09 PM by Tonya LaCoste
Updated: Feb 6, 2012 6:13 PM

Rice, cattle and crawfish farmers have filed a lawsuit against the company whose barge and tugboat damaged the Leland Bowman Lock System in September, 2011. In the case, 49 people are seeking damages from Canal Barge Co., Inc, the captain and the company's insurer, ABC Insurance.

The lawsuit claims the captain, named only as Captain X, violated one or more maritime navigation rules which caused the tugboat, M/V Lake Charles, and barge, WDC 3643, to hit the gates of the structure. Attorneys for the plaintiffs claim salt water has since intruded into the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and Mermentau Basin. According to the suit, salt water has damaged rice and crawfish crops and is not safe for cows to drink. Among other damages, the plaintiffs are asking for past, present and future loss of income.

Joseph Joy and Associated filed the lawsuit.