Claris Law Legal Blogging Community

Name:

E-mail:

Phone Number:

Zip Code:

Your Question:

Editor: Rod Sullivan
Profession: Maritime Attorney

Category: Safety at Sea

The NTSB has issued its final report on the sinking of the Express Shuttle II in the Pithlachascotee River near New Port Richey, Florida. The fire occurred on October 17, 2004 and resulted in the total destruction of the vessel, which had just dropped off 78 passengers and only had the Captain and two crewmembers aboard at the time of the fire. The boat was a total loss and had a value in excess of $800,000.

Among its conclusions was that the Caterpillar instruction manuals were defective since they did not show the correct placement of vibration clips, or the proper method of removing and replacing a single fuel line on Caterpillar engines.