African-Raptor

A widow from St. John the Baptist Parish was suing the "African Raptor", alleging negligence and insufficient measures taken to prevent injuries. Nayana Ambarish Parekh, individually and as personal representative of Ambarish Ramnikrai Parekh, deceased, filed a complaint on Sep. 15, 2016, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against the ship, alleging that the bulk carrier failed to ensure a safe means of ingress. According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on July 17, while Ambarish Ramnikrai Parekh was attempting to board the vessel to perform his duties, he fell into the Mississippi River from a ramp gangway. He was seen struggling to swim while waiting for rescue, but the river current eventually carried him away and pulled him underwater, and on July 19, his body was found by a passing tug. Plaintiff Nayana Ambarish Parekh has suffered loss of consortium, society and financial support, the suit alleges. The plaintiff held the "African Raptor" responsible because the defendant allegedly failed to have adequate crew members on proper stations and failed to take appropriate measures to effect a water rescue. The plaintiff requested a trial by jury and seeks judgment against the defendant in an amount reasonable under the circumstances, plus all costs and interest, and for any other relief as the law may require. She was represented by Paul M. Sterbcow and Beth E. Abramson of Lewis, Kullman, Sterbcow & Abramson in New Orleans.

The body of Ambarish Parekh, 69, of Laplace, was found by a fisherman on the lower Mississippi River near Donaldsonville on July 19 where he fell as he crossed a ramp from a tug to the "African Raptor". The body would be held at the parish Coroner's Office until arrangements could be made.

The master of the "African Raptor", Ambarish Parekh, fell from the ramp of a crew boat while trying to board his vessel in the morning July 17, 2016, in Baton Rouge near Donaldsonville, Mississippi river, and went missing. The Coast Guard mounted a search after being notified at 9:30 a.m. by the operator of the tug "Charlotte", via the Vessel Traffic Service. Assisting the Coast Guard in the search are the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office and the New Orleans Port Authority. Ambarish Parekhwas last seen wearing a blue shirt and long pants with a personal flotation device, according to the Coast Guard. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sector New Orleans Command Center at (504) 365-2209.