A logging company is suing a marine towing company for damage to a barge during a windstorm.
In the suit, Bear Lake Logging says it entered into an oral contract to hire General Towing to tow a barge the logging company owned from Toba Inlet to Campbell River Marine Terminal. Bear Lake says it expected General Towing to secure the barge "in accordance with industry standards" at the Campbell River terminal.
Bear Lake Logging claims that General Towing tied its barge to another barge that was secured to "four steel pile dolphins." The logging company alleges that the lines were not positioned to prevent its barge from
surging back and forth in high winds.
On March 12, 2012, a severe windstorm hit Campbell River and the barge allegedly broke free of its moorage and washed up a short distance away. Bear Lake Logging claims the hull of the barge was damaged during the incident.
Bear Lake Logging alleges that the resulting loss, damage and expense were the fault of General Towing.
In a response filed May 29, General Towing alleges that it was under no contractual duty in respect to tying up the barge, and that the barge was in good working order when General Towing "handed it over to Campbell River Marine Terminal."
In its response, General Towing claims that it tied up the barge on March 2, 2012, and the windstorm did not happen until March 12, 2012.
"The cause of the loss in whole or in part was the plaintiff's negligence in failing to inspect the barge to ensure that it was secured properly," says the claim.
None of the allegations has been proven in court.
