Hook, Line & Sinker – Litigation Nightmares Arising When My Vessel’s Anchor Ruptures Your Subsea Pipeline


As the number of vessels anchored off US ports grows exponentially and in light of the recent California pipeline spill, the risk of a vessel dragging her anchor and striking a subsea pipeline has come into focus once again. This session will explore key considerations that arise in such litigation, including identifying and obtaining jurisdiction over the offending vessel and her owners, determining the appropriate venue and applicable law, applicability of presumptions of fault in such cases and strategies to overcome such presumptions, damage issues, and other related considerations.