Attorneys probe lack of oversight of towboat industry

A Coast Guard investigation of a July oil spill took a philosophical turn Thursday when an attorney for the ship involved in the accident criticized lax government oversight of the towboat industry.Michael Butterworth, who represents the ship Tintomara, told Coast Guard investigating officer Melissa Harper that the agency needs a regular inspection program for towboats. The comment came after Harper stopped several witnesses from answering Butterworth's questions about the lack of supervision of the towboat industry.