In a harrowing tale of a New Bedford scalloper’s “hanging down” and sinking within ten minutes during one last tow before Christmas, we settled all claims asserted by the crew’s five estates and one survivor for less than the cost of a summary judgment motion.
Rather than alleged stability alterations, it was onboard negligence (including the crew’s leaving the engine room and galley hatches open for warmth on deck and the scuppers closed, resulting in rapid down flooding when 15 foot seas washed over the rail) that caused this tragedy.
Furtado v. Lopes Welding Services, Inc., Bristol Superior Court, BRCV2007-01027-C.
