In Shell Offshore, Inc. v. Tesla Offshore, L.L.C., No. 16-30528, 2018 WL 4844687 (5th Cir. Oct. 5, 2018), Fifth Circuit ruled on liability based on the classification of the vessel. Shell Offshore, Inc. v. Tesla Offshore, L.L.C. Background A vessel in the Gulf of Mexico was pulling an underwater sonar device to survey the ocean floor when the device accidentally struck the mooring line of an offshore drilling rig, causing substantial damage. The rig owner sued both the vessel owner and the vessel charterer in federal court. A jury returned a verdict in favor of the rig owner, finding the vessel charterer 75% at fault and the vessel owner 25% at fault. The rig owner then settled with the vessel charterer. A separate round of litigation ensued with the charterer claiming contribution against the vessel owner. The District Court sided with the charterer, finding the vessel owner owed contribution to the settlement. ON Appeal Owner Argues Vessel Not classified as a…
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