States, ship owners agree to mediation in $2.4M lawsuit
The states of Maine and New Hampshire will begin mediation with the owners of the tanker MV Harbour Feature, which the states say is responsible for damage to the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge when the ship came unmoored and drifted into the bridge April 1.
The Portsmouth Herald reported that the parties will attempt to settle their dispute over who is responsible for the damage out of court. The mediation attempt comes amid a lawsuit from the two states that seeks $2.4 million in damages from the ship’s owners. The states jointly own the bridge that spans Portsmouth, N.H., and Kittery, .
The ship’s owners, TB Marine Shipmanagement GmbH & Co., argued that the blame for the collision lies with the Pease Development Authority, which hired a tugboat captain who they said “stipulated the precise number and arrangement of the mooring lines.” The company is seeking a refund of a $2.4 million bond it was required to post in order to retrieve the tanker, as well as other costs.
If the two parties do not come to an agreement after mediation, they will be required to file settlement demands with the court in February.
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