NH, Maine DOTs Sue Tanker for Bridge Damage

The New Hampshire and Maine departments of transportation have filed a lawsuit in federal court against the Harbour Feature tanker to obtain nearly $2.5 million in damages to the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge.

The New Hampshire Attorney General's office filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Concord on April 4 against the Harbour Feature's shipping company, TB Marine Shipmanagement of Hamburg, Germany, according to court documents.

The two state agencies want the M/V Harbour Feature out of Medeira, Portugal to reimburse them for the $2,474,250 in damages they say were caused when the tanker broke away from its moorings at the New Hampshire State Pier on April 1 and slammed into the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge. The Moran Towing tugboats successfully moved the Harbour Feature away from the bridge the same day.

Earlier this month, Bill Boynton, public information officer for the New Hampshire Department of Transportation, said the two state agencies would seek damages from the shipping company that owns the Harbour Feature.

According to court documents, the Harbour Feature's crew failed to properly secure the vessel at the New Hampshire State Pier. As a result, the New Hampshire Attorney General's office has filed a negligence complaint against the shipping company.

New Hampshire Department of Transportation officials recently said the bridge will remain closed to motor vehicle traffic until May 25 while structural repairs are made to the Portsmouth side of the span.

"No act of the State of Maine or the State of New Hampshire played any part in causing the allision," read the court documents.

The two state agencies have also filed a martime lien against the Harbour Feature that, if granted, would compel the shipping company to pay them the $2,474,250 in damages.

According to court documents, the maritime lien applies to the Harbour Feature's engines, machinery, cargo, gear, tackle, apparel, furniture, equipment, and any other part of the vessel.