West End Marine sues to recover $230K for role in beach restoration project

GALVESTON - West End Marine Inc. claims RLB Contracting Inc. owes an outstanding debt of about $230,000 and has filed a lawsuit to recoup the amount in question.

According to court documents filed May 28 in Galveston County District Court, RLB Contracting has yet to pay West End Marine $231,752.50 for the latter's equipment, supplies and services in connection with the restoration of beaches in Matagorda County.

Both companies reportedly entered into an agreement which called for West End Marine to provide sand towing and delivery using its tugs and barges in exchange for payment of $1.65 per cubic yard remitted by RLB Contracting.

The suit states that the defendant also represented that the depth of the water at the delivery point would be sufficient for a barge fully loaded with sand to readily unload, and it would provide any and all fresh water needs for the towing operation to which the plaintiff later learned was untrue.

West End Marine proceeded with the task, generating an invoice in the subject amount.

RLB Contracting, however, began questioning items on the bill only to ultimately not pay in a timely manner, the original petition says.

It further asserts among RLB Contracting's arguments is that "it should not be charged a daily rate even though the original agreement of the parties was for a daily rate."

Attorney Phillip R. Livingston of Phillip R. Livingston P.C. in Houston is representing the complainant, and Galveston County 56th District Court Judge Lonnie Cox is presiding over the litigation.

Case No. 13-CV-722