Luke M. Reid

Represented owner and operator of the SS EL FARO, a Ro-Ro/Container vessel that sank in 2015 in Hurricane Joaquin in the Caribbean, resulting in a complete loss of the vessel, all cargo, and all 33 persons on board. This included the lead representation in the US Coast Guard’s Marine Board of Investigation (USCG MBI) and subsequent enforcement action, and co-counsel roles in connection with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation and the civil limitation of liability suit in federal court.

Represented the owner and operator of the STRETCH DUCK 7, a passenger vessel that sank on Table Rock Lake in Branson Missouri, on July 18, 2018, resulting in the loss of 17 lives, in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation, the US Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation (MBI), and resulting civil litigation. Commenced limitation of liability proceeding in the Western District of Missouri (In the Matter of The Complaint of Branson Duck Vehicles, LLC and Ripley Entertainment, Inc., 6:18-cv-03339-MDH) and resolved all civil claims within 18 months of the incident. 

Represented a tug and barge owner and operator in connection with an anchor strike incident in the Great Lakes, resulting in damage to underwater cables and a pipeline. This included lead representation during the pollution response and subsequent US Coast Guard and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigations, and co-counsel role in the resulting civil limitation of liability suit in federal court in which the pollution and property damage claims were resolved.

Represented cruise line in connection with alleged violations of MARPOL Annex VI (air emissions), within the North American Emissions Control Area (ECA). The matter was resolved with the US Coast Guard and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) without the filing of an enforcement action or payment of a fine or penalty.

Represented global shipping carrier during MARPOL criminal investigation. The matter was resolved and no charges were filed.

Represented towing vessel operator in connection with vessel collision and seaman’s manslaughter criminal investigation. The matter was resolved and no charges were filed.

Represented vessel owner and operator during US Coast Guard and NTSB investigation of major onboard fire resulting total constructive loss of the vessel.

Advising and representing vessel owners, operators, and trade associations in connection with international (IMO) and US domestic regulation of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from ships and the decarbonization of the maritime industry.

Advising and representing numerous vessel and facility owners and operators in connection with compliance with US and international maritime safety, security, environmental, and trade regulations.

Advised private maritime security companies on compliance with international and US legal requirements for conducting counter-piracy operations onboard commercial vessels.

Advising vessel owners and operators on sexual assault and sexual harassment (SASH) reporting, surveillance, and related US Coast Guard regulatory requirements.

Represented vessel owner and operator during MARPOL enforcement action, resulting in all charges being reduced to a warning.

Represented and advised vessel owners and operators on compliance with US Coast Guard ballast water regulations and EPA Vessel General Permit (VGP) standards and reporting requirements.

Advised maritime corporations and conducted Jones Act and other regulatory due diligence for mergers and acquisitions.

Represented and advised buyers and sellers of US flag vessels during vessel transactions and petitions to MARAD for foreign transfer and reflagging approvals.

Represented and advised pipeline owner and operator in the aftermath of pipeline strike by a third party, in connection with resulting claims under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA).

Represented vessel owner and operator in investigation and enforcement action in connection with alleged violations of US coastwise laws (Jones Act). The matter was resolved without a fine or penalty.

Advised global tanker owner/operator on alleged sexual assault at sea and led related internal investigation of the same.

Advised and represented leading global tanker owner/operator in connection with voluntary reporting under US Coast Guard’s Environmental Crimes Voluntary Disclosure Policy (Appendix N). 

Advised clients on the application of the United National Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and related international conventions.