Delaware Bay.
Record evidence shows that the oil spill was the result of a series of mishaps that began when the "ship's port anchor was prematurely let go in the Delaware River...." (D.I. 103 at A-18) The vessel eventually went aground during a maneuver made "in attempt to turn the vessel back upriver after picking up the port anchor." (D.I. at A-19) It is undisputed that the oil spill caused by the grounding of the PRESIDENTE RIVERA resulted in extensive damage to the shores and waters of the United States, Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania requiring massive clean-up efforts. In addition, a substantial amount of private property damage apparently resulted from the spill.
As a result of this oil spill, numerous parties commenced legal action against the Oriental Republic oflimitation plaintiff cannot defeat the United States' motion for partial summary judgment unless limitation plaintiff raises a genuine dispute as to whether its own conduct was a "necessary antecedent" or contributing cause to this oil spill.
The court record does not readily reveal the precise cause of the grounding of the PRESIDENTE RIVERA that ultimately led to the discharge of oil from that vessel. It appears from the record, however, that the "ship's port anchor was prematurely let go in the Delaware river" and that the ship went aground "during a maneuver directed by the river pilot in an attempt to turn the vessel back upriver after picking up the port anchor." (D.I. 103 at A18-A19).
Clearly, contributing causes of the June 24, 1989 oil discharge from the limitation plaintiff's