Case 4 Ship Damage

While discharging a container ship, a member's crane driver moved his crane without lifting the gantry. The gantry hit and partly demolished the ship's radar mast, radio antenna and various other items of equipment. Consequently the ship could not sail until all the safety and navigational equipment had been repaired. The ship's owners and charterers claimed for the costs of repairs, the laytime incurred and various other charges.

The incident had been witnessed by a number of people and liability was not an issue. There was, however, some dispute about the validity of some of the costs being claimed. Discussions took place with experts on both sides and, as a result, an amicable settlement was reached at about two-thirds of the original claim.