American President Lines / CMA-CGM Chief Engineer Sexual Harassment & Abuse Lawsuit

The plaintiff, a Third Assistant Engineer aboard the M/V APL Gulf Express, alleges that he was subjected to a sustained campaign of sexual harassment, physical assault, and hostile work environment by his supervisor, Chief Engineer John Frederick Daylor, between November 14, 2022, and January 5, 2023.

Key Allegations:

• Assault with a wrench: Chief Engineer Daylor allegedly struck Plaintiff in the head three times with a metal box wrench in the ship’s engine room
• Sexual misconduct: Chief Engineer Daylor allegedly made repeated sexually inappropriate comments and physical advances, including:Leaning his crotch and body onto Plaintiff.Asking sexually invasive questions.Making vulgar comments about Plaintiff's appearance.Recounting personal and graphic sexual stories to Plaintiff.
• Retaliation and cover-up attempt: The ship’s master allegedly failed to act, suppressed Plaintiff’s complaint, and discouraged Plaintiff from reporting.
• APL's prior knowledge: The complaint asserts APL/CMA-CGM knew or should have known about Daylor’s prior misconduct, including earlier complaints and an internal investigation.
• USCG action: The U.S. Coast Guard initiated proceedings to revoke Daylor’s Merchant Mariner Credential and detailed multiple incidents, including Plaintiff’s allegations as well as allegations made by a prior victim of Daylor.
• Credential surrender: Daylor voluntarily surrendered his Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) to the U.S. Coast Guard on August 10, 2024.

• March 31, 2025: Plaintiff filed Memorandum in Opposition to Defendant APL Marine Services, LTD.’s Motion to Dismiss Unseaworthiness Claim
• March 31, 2025: Plaintiff filed Memorandum in Opposition to Defendant John Daylor’s Motion to Dismiss Claim for Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress
• January 7, 2025: Case transferred from U.S. District Court for Northern California to U.S. District Court for Eastern Virginia
• September 6, 2024: Complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California under Case No. 4:24-cv-06300

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