LAWSUITS NEWS & LEGAL INFORMATION
Asphalt Spills Into River
Baltimore, MD: (Apr-07-08) State Environmental agencies brought a lawsuit against Dann Marine Towing, a Maryland company based in Chesapeake City, alleging that there were several environmental violations stemming from a 2005 barge accident in which tons of hot asphalt were spilled into the James River just south of Richmond. The suit stated that on Nov. 28, 2005, the barge struck an uncharted obstruction while operating outside the James River navigational channel and went under, spilling the asphalt.
The suit named Dann Marine Towing, as it had control and custody of the 250-foot-long barge, named the Piney Point, loaded with liquid asphalt on its way from Baltimore to Richmond. Federal officials stated that the impact of the crash caused a 12-foot gash in the barge and damaged a tank holding the asphalt, which was heated to about 270 degrees to keep it in liquid form. Records and witness testimonies reveal that as the hot slurry flowed into the James river, in shallows about five miles south of Richmond, it quickly cooled and sank to the bottom in large, taffy-like globs. As part of a remedial action, a cleanup contractor recovered an estimated 155 tons of asphalt, using divers, boats and a crane over a period of two weeks. About two tons, mostly smaller chunks, were left in the river.
As part of a settlement reached, sources stated that the Maryland company has agreed to pay a $45,000 fine to resolve allegations. Federal records indicate that the recent settlement with Dann Marine Towing, based in Chesapeake City, MD, comes three months after the company paid a separate $10,000 fine to the U.S. Coast Guard because of the spill. [HAMPTON ROADS: MARYLAND COMPANY TO PAY FINE FOR SPILL INTO JAMES]
Published on Apr-8-08
The suit named Dann Marine Towing, as it had control and custody of the 250-foot-long barge, named the Piney Point, loaded with liquid asphalt on its way from Baltimore to Richmond. Federal officials stated that the impact of the crash caused a 12-foot gash in the barge and damaged a tank holding the asphalt, which was heated to about 270 degrees to keep it in liquid form. Records and witness testimonies reveal that as the hot slurry flowed into the James river, in shallows about five miles south of Richmond, it quickly cooled and sank to the bottom in large, taffy-like globs. As part of a remedial action, a cleanup contractor recovered an estimated 155 tons of asphalt, using divers, boats and a crane over a period of two weeks. About two tons, mostly smaller chunks, were left in the river.
As part of a settlement reached, sources stated that the Maryland company has agreed to pay a $45,000 fine to resolve allegations. Federal records indicate that the recent settlement with Dann Marine Towing, based in Chesapeake City, MD, comes three months after the company paid a separate $10,000 fine to the U.S. Coast Guard because of the spill. [
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