Ford v. Trident Fisheries Co.

Ford (plaintiff's decedent), a mate on a fishing boat owned by Trident Fisheries (defendant), was thrown overboard at night; a rescue boat, suspended from davits and equipped with only one oar, was lowered to retrieve him, but he was never recovered and was presumed dead. Ford's estate sued Trident in negligence, arguing the boat's inadequate equipment (the davit suspension and single oar) constituted negligence; the trial court entered judgment for Trident, and the estate appealed.