United States Eighth Circuit

District court did not err in finding plaintiff's pilot violated Inland Navigation Rule 14 when he failed to propose the manner of passing; as the downward vessel, he was required to initiate the maneuvering signals. Plaintiff was entitled to limitation of liability as it had hired a licensed, competent operator to navigate its vessel and there was no evidence of notice the pilot would operate the vessel negligently.

Appellate Information

• Decided 03/15/2004
• Published 03/15/2004

Judges

• SMITH, Circuit Judge., Before BYE, RICHARD S. ARNOLD, and SMITH, Circuit Judges.

Court

• United States Eighth Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• Michael D. O'Keefe, argued, St. Louis, Missouri (Raymond L. Massey, James W. Erwin, John S. Farmer, and Suzanne L. Mongomery, on the brief), for appellant.


• For Appellees:
  
• Gary T. Sacks, argued, St. Louis, Missouri (Douglas E. Gossow and Teresa A. McNeil, on the brief), for appellee., E. Alex Blanton, argued, Washington, D.C. (Jeanne M. Grasso and Alan M. Freeman, on the brief), for appellee Hornblower Marine Services.