FI RST DI VI SI ON

BA RNES, P. J.

, M ERCI ER and BROWN, JJ.

N O T IC E : M otions for r e c ons i de r a tion m us t be ph y sic a l ly r e ce iv ed i n our c le r k ’s offic e w ithin te n da y s of the da te of de c is ion to be de e m ed tim e ly file d.

http://w w w .ga a ppe a l s .us /r ule s

Septem ber 23, 2019



# I n th e Co u r t o f

A p p eals o f

G eo r g ia

A1 9 A1 60 3

. CHATHAM A REA TRANSIT AUTHO R I T Y v

. BRANTLEY et al

. A1 9 A1 60 4 . CITY OF SAVANNAH v . BRANTLEY et al

. A1 9 A1 67 3 . CITY OF SAVANNAH v . POTTS.

A1 9 A1 71 6 . CITY OF SAVANNAH v . DUNCAN et al

. A1 9 A1 74 8 . CITY OF SAVANNAH v . ADAM S et al

. A1 9 A1 77 4 . CITY OF SAVANNAH v . REDLUS et al

. A1 9 A1 77 5 . CITY OF SAVANNAH v . GREENE.

A1 9 A1 77 6 . CITY OF SAVANNAH v . SENN.

A1 9 A1 77 7 . CITY OF SAVANNAH v . BATTISTA.

A1 9 A1 77 8 . CITY OF SAVANNAH v . M URPHY.

A1 9 A1 77 9 . CITY OF SAVANNAH v . O’ N EILL.

A1 9 A1 78 0 . CITY OF SAVANNAH v . BRAR et al

. A1 9 A1 78 1 . CITY OF SAVANNAH v . DAVIS.

A1 9 A1 78 2 . CITY OF SAVANNAH v . FELTES.

A1 9 A1 78 3 . CITY OF SAVANNAH v . W O ODBY.

A1 9 A1 78 4 . CITY OF SAVANNAH v . OW EN.

A1 9 A1 78 5 . CITY OF SAVANNAH v . OW EN.

A1 9 A1 78 6 . CITY OF SAVANNAH v . GRAY.

A1 9 A1 78 7 . CITY OF SAVANNAH v . M OLDRIK.

A1 9 A1 78 8 . CITY OF SAVANNAH v . AYOUB et al

.

B R O W N , J u d g e.A g ro u p o f i n di v i d u al s (“ Pl ai n t i ffs ”) fi l ed m u l t i p l e l aws u it s ag ai n s t t he M ay o r

an d Al d erm an o f t h e Ci ty of Sav an n ah (“ t h e Ci t y ”) an d t he Ch at h am A rea Tran s i t

Au t h o r i t y ( “ CAT”) aft er s u fferi n g in ju ri es wh en a d o ck ram

p own ed b y t h e Ci t y

co l l ap s ed

. Th e Ci t y m ov ed fo r s u m m a r y j u d g m en t i n al l cas es , co nt en d i n g t h at t h e

Pl ai n t i f f s ’ c l ai m s w ere b arred b y s o v erei gn i m m u n i t y an d im

m u n i ty u n d er t h e

Recreat i o n al Pro p ert y Act (RPA). CAT t h en al s o m o v ed fo r sum m a r y j ud g m en t u n d er

t h e RPA i n al l cas es

. Th e t ri al co u rt d en i ed t h e Ci t y ’ s a n d C A T ’s m o t i o n s , an d t h e

Ci t y n o w a p p eal s i n al l o f t h e rel at ed cas es

. CAT ap peal s i n o n l y on e cas e,

A1 9 A1 60 3

. 1 W e co n s o l i d at ed al l o f t h e rel at ed cas es i n t h i s ap peal

. Fo r t h e reas on s

s et fo rt h b el o w, we affi rm i n A1 9 A1 6 0 3 an d rev ers e i n al l o th er cas es

.

On ap p eal fro m t h e g ran t o r d e n i a l of a m o t i o n fo r su m m ary ju dg m en t

, t h e

co u rt ap p l i es “ a d e n o v o s t an d ard o f rev i ew, v i ewi n g t h e ev i d en c e , i n cl u d i n g an y

reas on ab l e co n cl u s i o ns an d i n feren ces t h at i t s u p p o rt s i n t h e l i g h t m o s t fav o rab l e to

t h e n o n -m o v an t .” (Ci t at i o n an d p u nct u at i o n o m i t t ed .) Hen der s o n v. S t

. Pa u l Ba

p t i s t

Ch u r ch

, 3 2 8 Ga. Ap p

. 1 23 (7 6 1 SE2 d 5 3 3 ) (2 0 1 4 ). T o p r e v a i l o n a m o t i o n fo r

1 W h i l e t h e t ri al co u rt en t ered i d en t i cal o rd ers d en y i n g CAT’ s m o t i o n i n each

o f t h e cas es , CAT ap p aren t l y h as ch o s en n o t t o ap p eal t he d en i al i n t h e rem ai n i n g

cas es

.

2s u m

m ary ju d g m en t

, t h e m o v i n g p art y m u s t “ s ho w th at t h ere i s n o g en u i n e i s s u e as to

an y m at eri al fact an d t hat t h e m o v i n g p a r t y i s en t i t l ed t o a ju d g m en t as a m at t er o f

l aw.” OCGA § 9 -1 1 -5 6 (c).

So v i ewed

, t h e reco rd s h o ws t h at CAT o wn s an d m ai n t a i n s th e Sav an n ah

Bel l es Ferry (“ t h e Ferry ”), wh i ch o p erat es b et w een t h e Ro us ak i s Ri v erfro n t Pl aza o n

Ri v er St reet an d t h e Sav an n ah In t ern at i o n al Trad e & Co n v en t i o n Cen t er (“ t h e

Co n v en ti o n Cen t er”). CAT’ s en t i re ferry s y s tem o p erat es free o f ch arg e t o t h e p u b l i c.

In J u l y 2 01 6

, CAT t em

p o rari l y rel o cat ed i t s Ferry op erat i o ns o n t h e Sav an n ah Ri v er

t o t he d o ck at i ss u e, wh i ch i s l o cat ed o n t h e Sav an n ah Ri v er St reet W at erfro n t Pl aza.

CAT st art ed u s i n g t h i s d o ck as t h e p o i n t at wh i ch p as s en gers e m b ark ed an d

d i s em b ark ed fro m t h e Ferry

. Th e en t ire d o ck co n s i st s o f a p l a t f o rm affi x ed t o t h e

b u l k h ead wal l 2 o f t h e Ri v erfro n t Pl aza. Tw o r a m p s , o r g an g w ay s , co nn ect t o t h i s

p l at fo rm an d l ead d o w n t o t wo fl o at i ng d o ck s . On e fl o at i n g d o ck i s av ai l ab l e t o t h e

p u b l i c, wh i l e t h e o t h er i s ex cl u s i v el y u s ed b y em erg en cy s erv ices v es s el s

. A cco rd i n g

t o t h e Ci t y ’ s Co d e o f Ord i nan ces , t h e p u rp o se o f t h e d o ck i s t o b en efi t t h e p u b l i c,

p ro v id i n g Ci t y ci ti zen s an d v i s i t o rs t h e c o n v en ien ce o f acces s i n g , en jo y i n g , an d

2 Th e cu rren t v ers i o n o f M erri am -W eb s t er d efi nes “ b u l kh ead ” as “ a ret ai n i n g wal l al o n g a wat erfro n t .”

3v i ewi n g hi s t ori c s cen i c s i tes i n t h e Ci t y

. Ad d it i on a l l y , m em b ers of t h e p u b l i c m ay

m o or t h ei r b o at s t o t h e d o ck free o f ch arg e fo r t h e fi rs t t h ree h o u rs , aft er wh i ch t h ey

m u st p ay a fee.

On N o v em

ber 1 9

, 2 01 6

, t h e Co n ven t i o n Cen ter was h o l d in g a Ch ri s t m as

co n ven t io n

. A g ro u p o f peo p l e, i n cl u d i n g Pl ai n ti ffs

, w e r e s t an d i n g o n t h e ram p

co n nect ed t o t h e fl o at i n g d o ck , wai t i ng t o b o ard t h e Ferry . At s o m e p o in t , t h e ram p

d i s en g ag ed fro m t h e b u l k head an d co l l ap s ed

. Pl ai n t i ffs s u s t ai n ed v ari o u s i n ju ri es in

co n nect io n wi t h t h e ram p ’ s co l l ap s e an d s u bs eq u en t l y i n s ti t ut ed p ers o n al i n ju ry

act i on s ag ai n s t t h e Ci t y an d C A T

, 3 al l eg i n g n eg l i g en ce an d g ro s s n eg li gen ce i n t h e

m ai n t en an ce o f t h e d o ck 4 an d o p erat i o n o f t h e ferry

. 5

On Feb ru ary 1 3

, 20 1 8

, t h e Ci t y m o v e d f o r s u m m ary ju dg m en t i n each o f t h e

cas es o n im

m u ni t y g ro u n d s

. CAT i n i ti al l y o p p o s ed t h e Ci t y ’ s m o t i o n , b u t l at er fi l ed

3 On e Pl ai n t i ff, An d rew Dav i s , s u ffered i n ju ri es aft er l eap i n g fro m Ri ver St reet

t o t he co n cret e p ad b el o w i n an at t em pt t o ai d t he v i ct i m s o f t h e ram p co l l ap s e.

4 Th ro u gh o u t t hi s o p i n i o n , we u se t h e p h ras e “ t h e d o ck ” t o refer t o t h e en t i re

s t ru ct u re, i ncl u d in g t he p lat fo rm , ram p s , an d fl o at i n g d o ck s

.

5 Pl ai n t i ffs Brar, Ak h av an , Bran tl ey , W i l s o n, an d Dav i s al s o as s ert ed cl ai m s fo r

p u n i t i v e d am ag es ag ai n s t b ot h t h e Ci t y an d CAT. Brar, Ak h av an , an d D av i s wi t h d rew

t h ei r p u n i t i v e d am ag es cl ai m s ag ai ns t t h e Ci t y , b u t n o t CAT. As far as t h i s Co u rt can d et erm i n e fro m t h e reco rd

, Bran t l ey an d W il s on ’ s p u n it i v e d am ag es cl ai m s ag ai n s t
b o t h t h e Ci t y

an d CAT rem ai n

.

4i t s o wn m o t i o n fo r s u m m ary ju dg m en t i n each o f t h e cas es , arg ui n g i t t o o w as en t i t l ed

t o i m m u n i t y u n d er t he RPA. T h e o nl y ev id en ce t h e p art i es p res en t ed fo r t h e t ri al

co u rt ’ s co n s i d erat i o n was i n t h e f o r m o f affi d av i t s wi t h at t ach ed ex h i b i t s. Th e t ri al

co u rt den i ed t h e Ci t y ’ s m o t i o n s o n M ay 7

, 2 0 1 8

, an d i s s u ed an i d en t i cal o rd er i n each

o f t he cas es co n s o l i d at ed in t h i s ap p eal

. Th e t ri al co u rt al s o d en i ed CAT’ s m o t i o n fo r

s u m m ary ju d g m en t i n each of t h e cas es

. T he Ci t y fi l ed ap p l i cat i o n s fo r i n t erl o cu t o ry

rev i ew o f t h e t ri al co urt ’ s d en i al s o f i t s m o t i o n s fo r s u m m ary ju d g m en t i n al l cas es

.

CA T f i led an ap pl i cat io n fo r i n t erl o cu t o ry rev i ew i n o nl y o ne cas e. W e g ran t ed t h e

ap p li cat io n s an d

, as s t at ed ab ov e, co n s ol i dat ed al l of t h e rel at ed cas es i n t h i s ap p eal

.

Th e Ci t y

1

. S o ver ei g n Immu n i t

y. In t wo rel at ed en u m erat i o ns o f erro r, t h e Ci ty as s ert s

t h at t he t ri al co u rt erred i n d en y in g i t s m ot i o n fo r s um m ary ju d g m en t b ecau s e t h e Ci t y

i s s hi el d ed fro m

l i ab i l i t y b y s o v erei g n i m

m u n i t y

.

So v erei gn i m

m u n i t y i s a t h res h o l d i s s u e t h at th e t ri al co u rt i s req u i red

t o ad d res s b efo re reach i n g t h e m eri t s of an y o t h er arg u m en t

. It i s

ax i o m at i c t h at t h e p art y s eek i n g t o b en efi t fro m t h e wai v er o f so v erei g n

i m m u n i t y b ears t h e b urd en o f p ro v i n g s u ch wai v er. W h et h er so v erei g n

i m m u n i t y h as been wai v ed u n d er t h e un d i s p u t e d fact s o f t h i s cas e is a

q u es t i o n o f l aw, an d t hi s Co u rt ’ s rev iew i s d e n ov o

.

5(Ci t at i o n s an d p u n ct uat i o n o m i t t ed .) Fu l t o n Co u n t y v. S OCO Co n t r a ct i n g Co

. , 3 4 3

Ga. Ap p

. 8 8 9

, 8 93 (1 ) (8 0 8 SE2 d 8 9 1) (2 0 1 7 ). Un d er th e G eo rg i a C o n s t i t u t i o n,

m u ni ci p al i ti es are p ro tect ed b y s o v erei g n i m m u n i ty u nl es s t h e Gen eral As s em b l y

wai v es i t

. Ga. Co n s t

. o f 1 98 3

, A rt

. IX, Sec. II, Par. IX. Th i s p ri nci p l e i s rei t erat ed in

OCGA § 3 6-3 3 -1

, wh i ch p ert i n en t ly p ro v i d es t hat “ i t i s t h e p u b l i c p o l i cy o f t h e St at e

o f Geo rg i a t h at t h ere i s n o wai v er o f t h e s o verei g n i m m un i t y o f m

u n i ci p al

co rp o rat i o ns o f t h e st at e an d s u ch m u n i ci p al co rp orat i o n s s h a l l b e i m m u n e fro m

l i ab i l i t y fo r d am ag es .” O CGA § 36 -3 3 -1 (a). H o wev er, s u b s ect i o n (b ) o f t h i s s am e

s t at u te p ro v i d es a n arro w w ai v er o f a m u n i ci pal i ty ’ s so v er e i g n i m m u n i t y “ [f] o r

n eg lec t t o p erfo rm o r im p ro p er o r u n sk i l l fu l p erfo rm an ce of [t h e m u n i ci p al

co rp o r a t i o n ’s ] m in is t eri al d u t i es .” OCGA § 3 6 -3 3 -1 (b ). Th i s p ro vi s i o n h as b een

co n s i s t e n t l y i nt erp ret ed “ t o m ean t h at m u n i ci p al co rp o rat i o n s are i m m un e fro m

l i ab i l i t y fo r act s t ak en in p erfo rm an ce o f a g o v ern m en t al fu n ct i o n b u t m ay b e l i ab l e

fo r t h e n eg l i gen t p erfo rm an ce o f t h ei r m i n i s t eri al d u ti es

. ” (Ci t at i o n s o m it t ed .) Ci t y of

At l a n t a v. Mi t ch a m , 2 9 6 Ga. 5 7 6 , 5 77 -5 7 8 (1 ) (7 6 9 SE2 d 3 2 0 ) (2 0 15 ).

On e s u ch m i n i s t eri al d u t y l o n g r e co g ni zed b y t h e co u rt s o f t h is St at e “ i s t h e

d u t y o f a m

u n i ci p al i t y t o m ai nt ai n ci t y s t reet s in a reas o n ab l y s afe co n d i t i o n fo r

t rav el .” (Ci t at i o ns o m i tt ed .) Ci t y o f S a va n n a h v. Her r er a , 3 4 3 Ga. Ap p. 42 4

, 4 2 8 (1 )

6(8 0 8 SE2 d 4 1 6 ) (2 0 1 7 ). A m u n i ci p al i t y ’ s d u t y i n th i s reg ard i s d el i n eat ed b y OCGA

§ 3 2-4 -9 3 (a):

A m u n i ci pal i t y i s rel i ev ed o f an y an d al l li ab i l i t y res u l t in g fro m

o r o ccas i o n ed b y d efect s i n t h e p u b l ic ro ad s o f it s m u n i ci pal s treet

s y s t em wh en it h as n o t been n eg l i g en t i n co n st ru ct in g o r m ai n t ai ni n g th e

s am e o r wh en it h as n o act u al no t i ce t h ereo f o r wh en s u ch d efect h as n o t

ex i s ted fo r a s u ffi ci en t l en g t h o f t i m e fo r n o ti ce t h ereo f t o b e i n ferred

.

Id

. St at ed d i fferen t l y , “ m

u n i ci p al i t i es g en eral l y h av e a m i n i s t eri al d ut y t o k eep t h ei r

s t reet s i n rep ai r, a n d t h ey are li ab l e fo r i n ju ri es res u l t i n g fro m d efect s aft er act u al

n o t i ce, o r aft er t he defect h as ex i s t ed fo r a s u ffi ci en t l en gt h o f t i m e fo r no t i c e t o b e

i n ferred

. ” (Ci t at i o n an d p u n ct uat i o n om it t ed .) Ro q uemo r e v. Ci ty o f Fo r s yt h

, 2 7 4 Ga.

Ap p

. 42 0

, 4 2 3 (6 1 7 SE2 d 6 4 4 ) (2 0 0 5 ). T he Ci t y arg u es t h at t h e tri al co u rt erred in

ap p ly i n g t h i s s t at u to ry

wai ver t o t h e cas e at h an d

. Sp eci fi cal l y , t h e Ci t y arg u es t h at

t h e d o ck i s n o t a “ p u b li c ro ad [ ] o f i t s m u n i ci pal s t reet s y st em ,” s uch t h at th e Ci t y ’ s

m i n i s t eri al d u t y t o m ai n t ai n i ts s t reet s u n der OCGA § 3 2 -4 -9 3 (a) i s i m p l i cat ed

. W e

d i s ag ree.

Sect io n 3 o f Ch ap t er 1 d efi n es “ pu b l i c ro ad ” fo r t he p u rp o s es o f Ti t l e 3 2 an d

i n cl u d es a n o n -ex h au s ti v e l i s t o f ex am pl es :

7a hi g h way , ro ad

, s treet

, av en u e, t o l l ro ad

, t o l l way , d ri ve, d et o u r, o r o t h er

way t h at ei t h er i s o p en t o t h e p u bl ic o r h as been acq ui red as ri g h t o f

way , an d is i nt en d ed t o b e u s ed fo r en jo y m en t b y th e p u b l i c an d fo r th e

p as s ag e o f v eh i cl es i n an y co u n ty or m u n i ci pal i t y of Geo rg i a, i n cl u d i n g b u t n o t l i m i t ed t o t h e fo l l o wi ng pu b l i c r i g h ts

, s t r u ct u r es

, s i d

ewa l ks

, f a ci l i t i es

, a n d a

pp u r t en a n ces i n ci d

en t a l t o t h e co n s t ru ct i o n

,

ma i n t en a n ce, a n d

en jo ymen t o f s u ch r i g ht s o f wa y :

(A) Su rface, s h o u l d ers , an d s i d es ; (B) Bri d g es ; (C) Cau s eway s ; (D) Vi ad u ct s ; (E) Fer r i es ;

. . . (M ) Park i n g faci l i t i es ; (O) Can al s an d cu l v ert s ; (P) Res t areas ;

. . . .

(Em p h as i s s u p pl i ed .) OCGA § 32 -1 -3 (2 4 ). In i ts o rd ers , t h e tri al co u rt co n cl u d ed t h at

t h e do ck q u al ifi ed as a “ pu b l i c r o a d ” b ecau s e a ferry i s ex p res s l y i n cl u ded i n t h e

s t at u to ry d efi n i t i o n an d a d o ck i s n eces sary fo r t h e u s e an d en jo y m en t of a ferry

. Th e

Ci t y co n t en d s t h at t h e t ri al co u rt o v erl o o k ed t h e p h ras e “ m u ni ci p al s t reet s y s t em ” in

OCGA § 3 2 -4 -9 3 (a), w h i c h fu rt h er l i m i ts a m u n i ci p al i t y ’ s d u ty u nd er th e s t at u t e;

n am el y , t h at a m

u n ici p al i ty o nl y h as a d u ty t o m ai n t ai n t h o s e p u b l i c ro ad s wh i ch are

p art o f i t s m

u n i ci p al s t reet s ys t em

. In fu rt h eran ce o f t h i s arg u m en t

, t h e Ci t y ci t es

8Her rer a , s u p ra, “ [a] s p art icu l arl y i n s t ru ct i ve on wh at s h ou l d an d wh at s h ou l d n o t b e

co n si d ered a p art o f t h e ‘ m un i ci p al s t reet s y st em ’

. . . .” (Em p has i s o m it t ed .)

In Her rer a , t h i s Co urt ad d res s ed “ w h at co ns t i t u tes a d efect i n t he p u b l i c ro ad s

u n d e r O CGA § 3 2 -4 -9 3 (a), an d i n part i cu l ar, wh et h er ob ject s ad jacen t to t h e ro ad

t h at o b st ru ct t he v i ew of trav el ers on t h e ro ad are co ns i d ered ‘ d efect s i n t h e p u b l i c

ro ad s .’ ” 3 4 3 Ga. Ap p

. at 4 28 -4 2 9 (1 ). Aft er p o in t i n g o u t th at d e f e c t s f o r w h i ch a

m u ni ci p al i ty m ay b e l i ab l e “ h av e b een h el d t o i n cl u d e o b j e c t s a d j acen t t o , an d

s u s p en d ed o v er, t h e m

u n i ci pal i t y ’ s s t reet s , ” w e co n cl u d ed th at a ju ry m u s t d et erm i n e

wh et h er a t ree l o cat ed o n th e m un i ci p al i ty’s r i g h t of way o b s t ru ct ed t he v i ew o f

o n c o m i n g traffi c su ch th at i t was a d efect w i t hi n t h e m ean i n g of OCGA § 3 2 -4

- 9 3

.

Her rer a , 3 4 3 Ga. Ap p

. at 4 2 9-4 3 0 (1 ). T he Ci t y i n terp ret s t h i s t o m ean t h at t h e d o ck

can n ot b e p art o f t h e m

u n i ci p al s treet s y s t em

b ecau s e “ [t ] h ere i s n o ev i den ce i n t h e

r e c o r d t h at [i t ] is ad

jacen t t o o r s u s p en d ed o ver a m u n i ci p al s t reet

. ” (Pu n ct u at i o n

o m it t ed .) Ho wev er, at n o p o i n t in Her r er a d i d w e d i s cu s s t he p hras e “ m u ni ci p al s t reet

s y s t em ” or i t s m ean i n g

. Ou r co n cl u s i o n i n t h at cas e, as i t cl earl y s tat es , m erel y

ad d res s es wh at m ay b e co n s id ered a d efect b as ed o n it s l o cat i o n i n r el at i o n t o t h e

p u b l i c ro ad n o t wh et h er t he p u bl i c ro ad i s p art o f t he m un i ci p al s t reet s y s t em

.

9W h i l e we ag ree t h at O CGA § 3 2 -4 -9 3 (a) co n t ai ns t h i s l an gu ag e fo r a reas o n,

we d i s ag ree wi th t h e Ci t y ’ s p ro ffered reas o n

. W e co n cl u de t hat t h e p hras e “ m u n i ci p al

s t reet s y s t em ” was i ns t ead i n cl u d ed t o l i m i t t h e m u ni ci p al i t y ’ s du t y t o on l y t h o s e

p u b l i c ro ad s wi t h in t h e m u n i ci p al i t y ’ s co n t ro l as o p p o s ed to p ub l ic ro ad s co n t ro l l ed

o r m a i n t ai n ed b y t h e co u n t y o r St at e. Th i s co n s t ru ct i o n i s s u p p o rt ed b y Ti t l e 3 2 ’ s

cl as s ifi cat i o n of Geo rg i a’ s p u b l i c ro ad s i n t o t h ree s y s t em s : (1 ) a s tat e h i g h way

s y s t em ; (2 ) co un ty ro ad s y s t em s ; an d (3 ) m u n ici p al s t reet sy s t em s

. See OCGA § 3 2 -4

-

1

. See al s o Dep t

. o

f Tr a n s p

. v. Ca r r , 2 5 4 Ga. Ap p

. 7 8 1

, 78 3 (1 ) ( 5 6 4 S E 2 d 1 4 )

(2 0 0 2). T h is Co d e s ect i o n ex p l ai n s t h at “ [e] ach m u n i ci p al st reet s y s t em s h al l co n s i s t

o f t ho s e p u b l ic ro ad s wi t h i n t he l i m i t s o f th at m un i ci pal i ty w h i ch are no t in an y o t h er

cl as s ifi cat i o n u n d er t h i s Co d e s ect i o n .” OCGA § 3 2 -4 -1 (3 ). Read i ng t h is l an g u ag e

i n co nju nct i o n wi t h OCGA § 3 2 -4 -9 3 (a) l ead s t o t h e co n cl u si o n t h at a m u ni ci p al i t y

h as a m i n i s t eri al d u t y to m ai n t ai n t h os e pu b l i c ro ad s wi t h i n i t s l i m i t s wh i ch are n ot

p art o f a s t at e h i g h way

s y s t em o r co u n ty

ro ad s y s t em

.

W i t h t h i s i n m i n d

, we ret u rn t o th e q u es t i o n at han d : wh et h er t h e Ci t y -o wn ed

d o ck i s a p u b l i c ro ad wi t h i n t h e m u n i ci p a l s t reet s y s t em b y v i rt u e o f i ts u s e in

co n j u n ct i o n w i t h t h e Ferry

. It i s u n d is p u t ed t h at t h e Ferry is o wn ed an d o p erat ed by

CAT, an ag en cy u n affi li at ed w it h t h e Ci t y

. Th us , wh il e “ ferry ” i s ex pres s ly i n cl u d ed

10i n t h e s t at u t o ry defi n i t i o n o f “ p u b l i c ro ad ,” t h e Ferry w o u l d n o t q u al i fy as a p u b l i c

ro ad i n t h e Ci t

y’s mu n i ci

p al s t r eet s

ys t em

. See OCGA § § 3 2 -1 -3 (2 4 ), 3 2 -4 -9 3 (a). It

fo l l o w s th at t he d o ck ’ s s t a t u s a s a s t ru ct ure o r ap p urt en an ce in ci den tal t o t h e

m ai n t en an ce an d en

jo y m en t of t h e Ferry d o es n o t b ri n g i t wi t h i n t h e defi ni t i o n o f a

p u b l i c ro ad i n t h e Ci t y ’ s m un i ci p al s t reet s y st em

. 6

Ho wev er, t h i s d oes n o t m ean t h at t h e d o ck can n ot q u al i fy as a pu b li c ro ad o f

t h e m u n i ci p al s t reet s y s t em i n it s o wn reg ard

. OCGA § 3 2 -1 -3 ’ s d e f i n i t i o n o f

“ [p ] u bl i c r o a d s ” ex p res sl y i n cl u d es “ o t h er way s.” W h i l e T it le 3 2 d o es n o t d efi n e

“ way ,” i t i s g en eral l y d efi ned as “ [a] p as s ag e or p at h .” Bl ack ’ s Law Di ct io n ary (1 1 th

ed

., 2 01 9 ). An d a “ p as s ag e” i s “ [a] ri g ht

, p r i v i l e g e , or p erm i s s i o n t o cro s s l an d o r

wat er; an eas em en t to t rav el t h ro u g h an o t h er’ s p ro p ert y .” Id

. Here, t h e Ci t y o wn s t h e

d o ck

, b u t g i v es t h e pu b l i c p erm i s s i o n t o us e t h e do ck

, i ncl u d i n g th e ram p , i n o rd er to

cro s s fro m Ri v er St reet t o t h e ri v er. W e t h u s co n cl ud e t h at t h e d ock

, as a “ way ” wh i ch

6 Pl ai n t i ffs co n t en d t h at t h e Ferry an d t he d o ck are p art of t h e “ m u ni ci pal s t reet

s y s t em ” by v i rt u e o f t h e fact t h at t h ey are p a r t o f t h e Ci t y ’ s p u bl i c t ran sp o rt at i o n

s y s t em , b u t t h ere i s n o ev i den ce i n t h e reco rd s s u p p o rt i n g th i s co n t en t i o n

. In fact

, t h e

o n l y ev i d en ce i n t he reco rd s h o ws t h at th e Ferry i s i n fact p art o f CAT’ s p u b l i c

t ran s po rt at i o n s y s tem , n o t t he Ci t y ’ s

.

11i s i n ten ded fo r p ub l i c u s e an d fo r t h e pas s ag e o f v eh icl es , 7 fal l s wi t h i n t h e ex p an s i v e

d efi n i t i o n o f p u bl i c ro ad fo u n d i n O C G A § 3 2 -1 -3

. An d b ecau s e i t i s o w n ed an d

o p erat ed b y t h e Ci t y , i t i s a p u b l i c ro ad o f t h e Ci t y ’ s m u n ici p al s treet s y s t e m

.

Acco rd in g ly

, t h e t ri al co u rt d i d n o t err i n fi n d i n g t hat t h e Ci t y h as a m i n i st eri al d u t y

t o m ai n t ai n t h e d o ck i n a reas o n ab l y s afe co n d it i o n u n d er OCGA § 3 2 -4 -9 3 (a).

Th i s co n cl u s i o n do es n o t en d o u r an al y si s , h o w ev er, b ecau s e t h e Ci t y m ay o n l y

b e h el d l i ab l e i f i t h ad n o ti ce o f t h e al l eg ed d efect

, o r i f t h e defect ex i s t ed fo r a l en g th

o f t i m e s u ffi ci en t t o p l ace t h e Ci t y o n co n s t ru ct i v e n o ti ce. 8 See Her rer a , 3 4 3 Ga. Ap p.

at 4 3 1 ; Th o mp so n v. Ci t

y of At la n t a , 2 7 4 Ga. Ap p

. 1

, 2 -3 (1 ) (6 1 6 SE2 d 2 1 9 ) (2 0 0 5 ).

Co n st ru ct iv e n o t i ce of a d efect m ay b e i m p u ted t hro u g h t h e k n o wl ed ge

o f t h e ci t y ’ s em

pl o y ees o r ag en t s , o r m ay b e sh o wn b y t es t i m o n y as t o

h o w l o n g t h e d efect ex i s t ed p ri o r t o t h e i n ju ry , o b ject i v e ev i d en ce t hat

t h e d efect e x i s ted o v er ti m e, o r ev i d en ce t hat o t h ers w ere i n ju red as a

res u lt of t h e s am e co n d i t i o n o v er a p eri o d o f y ears

. Th e q u es t i on o f

7 Ti t l e 3 2 d efi n es a “ [v ] eh i cl e” as “ a d ev i ce i n , u p o n , o r b y wh i ch an y p ers o n

o r p ro p ert y i s o r m ay b e t ran s po rt ed o r drawn u p o n a p u b l i c ro ad

, ” wh i ch s eem i n g l y

wo u l d in cl u d e t h i n gs s u ch as b icy cl es

. OCGA § 3 2-1 -3 (3 1 ). Ev i d en ce i n t h e reco rd

s h o ws t h at t h e Ferry t ran s p ort ed b i cy cl es , wh eel ch ai rs , an d s t ro l l ers

.

8 “ Th i s Co urt has h el d t h at t h e t erm ‘ d efect s ’ co v ered by t hi s Co d e s ect i o n i n cl u d es d efect s bro ug h t ab o u t b y t h e fo rces o f n at u re an d b y p e r s on s an d wh i ch

ren d er t h e s t reet u n safe an d i ncl u d es o b j e c t s a d jacen t to an d s u s p en d ed o v er t h e

s t reet .” (Ci t at i o n an d p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed

. ) Ro q uemo r e , 2 7 4 Ga. Ap p

. at 4 2 3

.

12co n s t ru ct iv e n ot i ce o rd i n ari l y i s fo r t h e j u r y, ex cep t i n t h e ab s en ce o f

an y ev id en ce o f co ns t ru ct i v e n o t i ce t h at co u l d creat e a fact q u es t i on

.

(Ci t at i o n an d p u n ct uat i o n o m i t ted .) Ci t y o f Ma co n v. Br o wn , 3 4 3 Ga. A p p

. 26 2

, 2 6 4

-

2 6 5 (8 07 SE2 d 3 4 ) (2 0 1 7 ).

To s u p p o rt th ei r cl ai m o f n o t ice, Pl ai nt i ffs p u t fo rt h a rep o rt is su ed on Oct o b er

1 4

, 2 0 1 6

, b y t h e Fed eral Em erg en cy M an ag em en t Ag en cy (FEM A). Th e rep o rt refers

t o th e “ Do ck s o n Ri v er St

. ” an d co n cl u d es t h at “ [t ] h e wh al ers (wo o d m em b ers ), t h e

cl eat s, an d t h e rai l s ap p ear t o b e d am ag ed ,” an d th at t h e co n d it i on o f t he d o ck s ’ u t i l i t y

p ed es t al s an d co n d it i o n s are u n k n o wn . Th e rep o rt i n cl u d es a p ho t og rap h o f a d o ck

,

b u t t h e p h o t o g rap h i s u n cl ear, an d we are un ab l e to as cert ai n wh et her t h i s is t h e d o ck

at i s su e. In ad d i t i o n t o t he FEM A rep o rt

, Pl ai n t i ffs o ffered an affi d av i t fro m a ret ai n ed

co n su l t i n g en g i n eer. Th e en g in eer av erred t h at

t h e d am ag e t h at cau s ed t h e co l l ap s e wo u l d eas i l y h av e b een d i s co vered

h ad a p ro per i n s p ect i on been co m p l et ed

, . . . th e d efect s t h at cau s ed th e

co l l ap s e wo u l d hav e b een p res en t fo r a su b st an t i al p eri o d o f t i m e,

. . . [an d ] t h e d ock s s h o u l d hav e b een cl o s ed u n ti l a f u l l i n v es t i g at i o n an d

req u ired rep ai rs were co m p l et ed

.

Th es e ob s erv at i on s were b as ed o n t h e ex p ert ’ s rev i ew o f t h e FEM A rep o rt an d

“ p h o t o g rap h s o f t h e d o ck t h at w ere t ak en as p art o f t h e FEM A Rep ort an d . . . aft er

13t h e co l l ap s e.” As an i n i t ial m at t er, t h e Ci t y arg u es th at t h i s ev i d en ce fai l s t o i d en t i fy

an y s p eci fi c d efect wi t h t h e ram p . W e ag ree.

W e fi rs t n o t e t hat i t i s n o t read i l y ap p aren t wh et h er t he d am ag e m en t i o n ed in

t h e FEM A rep o rt referred t o t he ram p rat h er t h an th e fl oat i ng do ck

, wh i ch d i d n o t fai l

.

Ad d i t i o n al l y , th e rep o rt referen ces “ Do ck s o n Ri ve r S t .,” b u t i t is un cl ear wh et h er

t h ere are m

u l t i p l e do ck s o wn ed b y t h e Ci t y o n Ri v er St reet an d t h is refers t o al l o f

t h em , s o m e o f t h em , o r wh et h er t h i s s i m p l y refers t o t h e d o ck at i s s u e. In h i s affi d av i t

,

Pl ai n t i ffs ’ ex p ert d o es n o t i den t i fy wh at al l eg ed d efect cau s ed t h e ram p t o co l l ap s e,

i f an y , n o r do es he i d en t i fy wh at d am ag e n o ted i n th e FEM A rep o rt cau s ed

, o r co u ld

h av e cau s ed

, t he ram

p t o co l l ap s e. In fact

, n o t h i n g i n t h e reco rd i d en ti fi es th e d efect

o f wh i ch t h e Ci ty was s u p p o s ed t o h av e n o t i ce. Th e ex p ert affi d av i t’ s co n cl u s o ry

s t at em en t t h at t h e u n id en t i fi ed d e f e c t h ad ex i s t ed fo r a “ s u b s t an t i al p eri o d o f t i m e”

fai l s t o am ou n t t o ev en t h e s l i gh t ev i den ce req u i red t o s at i s fy Pl ai n t i ffs ’ bu rd en o f

p ro d uct i o n o n a m o t i o n fo r s u m m ary ju d g m en t

. See D & H Co n s t

. Co

. v. Ci t y of

W o o d s t o ck

, 2 8 4 Ga. Ap p

. 3 1 4, 3 1 7 (1 ) (6 4 3 SE2 d 8 26 ) (2 0 0 7 ) (affi d av i t s co n t ai n i n g

n o t h i n g b u t v ag u e as s ert ions of f a c t a nd c onc lu s ory s t at em en t s u n s u p p o rt ed b y fact u al

ev i d en ce i n s u ffi ci en t t o av ert s u m m ary ju d g m en t ). Acco rd i n g ly

, t h e t ri al co u rt erred

14i n den y i n g t he Ci t y ’ s m o t i o n fo r s u m m a r y ju d g m en t o n th e b as i s o f so v erei g n

i m m u ni t y

.

2

. O t h er Def

en s es

. Becau s e we h av e fo u n d t h at t h e Ci t y i s en t i t l ed t o so v erei g n

i m m u ni t y , w e n eed n o t ad d res s t h e Ci ty ’ s rem ai n i n g en u m erat i o ns o f erro r t h at i t i s

en t i t l ed t o im

m u n i ty un d er t h e RPA an d t hat p u n i t iv e d am ag es cl ai m s ag ai n s t i t are

i m p ro p er. See Ra t l i

f f v. McDo n a l d

, 3 2 6 Ga. A p p

. 30 6

, 3 1 1 (1 ) (7 5 6 SE2 d 5 6 9 )

(2 0 1 4).

CAT

3

. Immu ni t

y u n d er t h e R PA. In t wo rel at ed en u m erat i o ns o f erro r, CAT arg u es

t h at t h e t r i al co u rt erred i n d en y i n g i t s m o t i o n fo r su m m ary j u d gm en t b ecau s e i t i s

en t i t l ed t o i m

m un it y u nd er t he RPA. W e d is ag ree.

Un d er t h e RPA, “ an o wn er o f l an d owes n o d ut y of care t o k eep t h e p rem i s es

s afe fo r en t ry o r us e

. . . o r to g i v e a n y warn i n g of a d an g ero u s co nd i t i o n , u s e,

s t ru ct u re, o r act i v i t y o n t h e p rem i s es t o p ers o ns en t eri n g fo r recreat i o n al p u rp o s es .”

OCGA § 5 1 -3 -2 2

. Fu rt her, “ an o wn er o f l an d wh o ei th er d i rect ly o r i n d irect l y i n v it es

o r p erm it s wi t ho u t ch arg e an y p ers o n t o u s e t h e pro p ert y fo r recreat i o n al p u rp o s es ”

i s sh i el d ed fro m l i ab il i t y

. OCGA § 5 1 -3 -2 3

. See al so Mer cer Un iv. v. S t of er ,

_ _ Ga.

_ _ , 2 0 1 9 W L 2 57 1 0 0 3 at *1 (S1 8 G1 02 2

, d eci d ed J u n e 2 4

, 2 01 9 ). “ Recreat i o n al

15p u rp os e[s ] ” i n cl u de, b u t are n o t l i m i ted t o, “ h u n t in g , f i s h i n g , s w i m

m i n g , b o at i n g,

cam p i n g , p i cn i ck i n g , h ik i n g , p l eas u re d ri vi n g , av i at io n act i v it i es , n at u re s t u d y , wat er

s k i i n g , wi n t er sp o rt s , an d v i ewi n g o r en jo y i n g hi st o ri cal

, arch eo l o g i cal

, s cen i c, o r

s ci en t i fi c s i t es .” OCGA § 5 1 -3 -2 1

. Th e s t at ed p u rp o s e o f t h e RPA “ i s t o en co u rag e

o wn ers of l an d t o m ak e lan d an d wat er areas av ai l ab l e t o t h e p u b l ic fo r recreat i o n al

p u rp os es b y l i m i ti n g t h e o wn ers ’ l i ab i l i t y to w ard s p ers on s e n t e r i n g t h ereo n fo r

recreat i o n al p u rp o s es .” OCGA § 5 1 -3 -2 0

. See al s o Ci t y of Ga r den Ci ty v. Ha r r i s , 3 0 2

Ga. 8 5 3

, 8 5 6 (8 0 9 SE2 d 8 0 6 ) (2 0 1 8 ). Ou r ap p el lat e co u rt s h av e i nt erp ret ed t h e RPA

v ery b ro ad l y , f

i n d i n g t h at i t “ en co m

p as s es an y recreat i o nal act i vi t y , i .e., an y

am us em en t

, pl ay o r o t h e r fo rm o f rel ax at i o n wh ich refres h es t h e m in d o r b o d y .”

An d er s o n v. At l a n t a Co mmi tt ee f o r t h e Ol ymp i c Ga mes , 2 73 Ga. 1 1 3

, 1 15 (5 3 7 SE2 d

3 4 5 ) (2 0 00 ). See al so C i t y o f Ch i cka ma u g a v. Hen tz

, 3 00 Ga. A p p

. 2 49

, 2 5 1 (6 8 4

SE2 d 3 7 2) (2 0 0 9 ). In d en y i n g CAT’ s m o t i on fo r s u m m ary ju d g m en t , t h e t ri al co u rt

co n cl u d ed t h at a q u es t io n o f fact ex i s t ed as t o wh et her t h e p u rp o se o f t h e d o ck was

recreat i o n al i n n at u re.

(a) A p art y s eek i n g t o b en efi t fro m t h e im m un i t y p ro v id ed b y th e RPA m u s t b e

an “ o w n er,” d efi n ed i n O CGA § 5 1 -3 -2 1 (3 ) as “ t h e p o s ses s o r of a fee i n t er es t

, a

t en an t

, a l es s ee, an o ccu p an t, o r a p ers o n i n co n t ro l o f t h e prem is es

. ” It i s u n d i s p u t ed

16t h at CAT d o es n o t o wn th e d ock

. No r d o es CAT arg u e t hat i t was a t en an t o r l es s ee.

In s t ead

, CAT as s ert s t h at i t i s an “ own er” of t h e d o ck un d er t h e RP A b e c a u s e i t

o ccu pi ed t h e d o ck o n n u m ero u s o ccas i o n s t he d ay of t h e acci d en t b ecau se t h e Ferry

d o ck ed t h ere. CAT al t ern a t i v e l y a r g u es t h at i t i s an “ o w n er” o f t h e d o ck b ecau s e i t

was i n co n tro l o f t h e p rem i s es wh en t h e Ferry t i ed u p t o t h e do ck t o t h e ex cl u s i o n o f

o t h er v es s el s an d b ecau s e i t h ad t o ex ert co n t ro l o ver t h e p rem i s es to m ak e s u re t h at

i t was safel y d i s ch arg i n g an d l o ad i n g p as s en g ers

. Th e reco rd

, h o wev er, co n t ai n s n o

ev i d en ce s h o wi n g t h at t he Ferry was d o ck ed at t h e t i m e o f t h e ram p co l l ap se 9 o r t h at

a CAT em

p l o y ee was wo rk i n g at t he ram p o r d o ck wh en it co l l ap s ed

. No r d o es CAT

as s ert t h at i t h ad an ex cl us i ve ri g h t t o o ccu p y t h e d o ck o n t h e d ay

o f t h e co l l ap s e.

Th ere is an ab sen ce o f cas e l aw d i s cu s s i n g t h e m ean i n g o f “ o ccu pan t ” o r t h e

p h ras e, “ in co n tro l o f t he p rem i s es ,” as t hes e p ert ai n t o t h e RPA. In on l y o n e cas e t h at

t h i s Co u rt can fi n d h as t h e i s s u e o f a “ no n -o wn er’ s ” l i ab i l i t y b e e n ad d res s ed

. See

M a r t i n v. Demp s ey F

u n er a l S vcs

. o f G a. , 3 1 9 Ga. Ap p

. 3 4 3

, 3 4 4 (7 35 SE2 d 5 9 )

(2 0 1 2), d i s ap p ro ved o n o t h er g ro u n d s , S t o f er ,

_ _ G a.

_ _ . In Ma r t i n , t h e p l ai n t i ff

s u s t ai n ed i n

ju ri es aft er fal l i ng i n a cem et ery

. Id

. at 3 4 4

. Sh e b ro u g h t s u it ag ai n s t t h e

9 Pl ai n t i ffs ’ u n v eri fi ed co m p l ai n t s al l e g e th at at t h e t i m e o f t h e co l lap s e, t h e Ferry h ad d ep art ed fro m t h e d o ck

.

17LLC t h at o wn ed t h e cem et ery as wel l as a s u b s i d i ary o f t h e LLC o wn er, wh i ch was

res p o n s i b l e fo r t he m ai n t en an ce an d g en eral g ro u n d sk eep i n g o f t h e cem et ery . Id . at

3 4 4 -3 4 5

. Th i s Co u rt co n cl u d e d t h a t a q ues t i o n o f fact ex i s t ed as t o wh et h er t h e

s u b s i d i ary was an “ own er” u n d er t h e R P A

. Id

. at 3 4 8 (2 ). W e n o t ed t h at l i ab i l i t y

a g ai n s t t h e s u b si d i ary “ co u ld b e i m p o sed b as ed u p o n t h eo ri es t hat i t act ed as [t h e

LLC’ s ] ag en t an d ex erci s ed co n t ro l o f t h e p rem i s es to t h e ex t en t o f i ts p ro v i s i o n o f

care an d m ai n t en an ce.” Id

.

W h i l e t h e Ci t y had g i v en C AT p e r m i s s i o n t o t em p o rari l y u se i t s d o ck wh i l e

CAT’ s u s u al d o ck u n d erwen t rep ai rs , 1 0 i t al s o al l owed al l m em bers o f t h e p u b l i c to

m o or t hei r v es sel s t o th e d o ck

. It i s u n d i s p u t ed th at CAT d i d n ot pay t h e Ci ty fo r t h e

u s e o f t h e d o ck

. An d n o th i n g i n t h e reco rd refl ect s th at CAT m ai nt ai ned t h e d o ck o r

p erfo rm ed an y up k eep s u ch t h at i t ex erci sed co n tro l o v er t h e prem is es l i k e t h e

s u b s i d i ary i n Ma r t i n

. Acco rd i n g l y , t h e o u t co m e o f t h i s cas e i s n o t g o v ern ed b y o u r

an al y s i s i n Ma r t i n

.

As we h av e al read y s t at ed

, an “ o wn er” u n d er t h e RPA is “ th e p o s s es s o r o f a fee

i n t e res t

, a t en an t

, a les s ee, an o ccu p an t

, o r a pers o n i n co nt ro l o f t h e p re m i s e s

. ”

1 0 Acco rd i ng t o t h e affi d av it of CAT’ s o perat i o ns m an ag er, n o wri t t en

ag reem en t o r d o cu m en t refl ect i n g CAT’ s u s e o f t h e d ock ex i s t s.

18OCGA § 5 1-3 -2 1 (3 ). Bl ack ’ s Law Di ct i o n ary d efi n es “ o ccu p an t ” as “ [s ] o m eo n e wh o

h as p o s ses s o ry ri g ht s i n , or co n tro l o ver, cert ai n p ro p ert y o r p rem is es ,” or “ [s ] o m eo n e

wh o acq u i res t it l e by o ccu p an cy .” Bl ack ’ s Law Di ct i o n ary (1 1 t h ed

. 2 0 1 9 ). H o wev er,

“ o ccu p an t ” i s al s o co m

m o nl y u n d ers t o od t o m ea n “ o n e wh o occu p i es a p art i cu l ar

p l a c e

. ” M e r r i a m

- W e b s t e r ’ s O n l i n e D i c t i o n a r y , h t t p : / / w w w

. m e r r i a m

web st er.co m

/ d i ct i o n a r y/ o ccu p an t

. An d t o “ o ccu py ” can m ean , am o n g o t h er t h i n g s ,

“ t o t ak e u p (a p l ace o r ex ten t i n s p ace).” M erri am -W eb s t er’ s On l i n e Di ct i o n ary ,

h t t p : // www.m erri am -web s t er/ d i ct i on ary / o ccu p y

.

“ Th e l eg al m ax i m ‘ n o s ci t u r a so ci i s ’ m ean s g en eral l y t h at a w o rd o r ph ras e m ay

b e kn o wn fro m i t s acco m p an yi n g t e rm s .” (Ci t at i o n o m i t t ed .) Fr a n kl i n v. Pi t t s , 3 4 9

Ga. A p p

. 5 4 4

, 5 5 3 (1 ) (d ) (8 2 6 SE2 d 42 7 ) (2 01 9 ). Un der th i s can o n , “ wo rd s

. . .

s h o u ld b e u n d ers t o o d i n rel at i o n t o each o t h er, s i n ce wo rd s , l i k e p eo p l e, are ju d g ed

b y t h e co m

pan y th ey k eep .” (Ci t at i o n an d pu n ct u at i o n o m it t ed .) W a r r en v. S t a t e , 2 9 4

Ga. 5 8 9

, 5 9 0 -5 91 (1 ) (7 5 5 SE2 d 1 7 1 ) (2 0 1 4). Acco rd i n g l y , t h e term “ o ccu p an t ”

s h o u ld b e g au ged b y t h e w o r d s s u rro u n d i ng i t

. Th e t erm ap p ears i n a l i s t d efi n i n g

o wn er as “ t h e p o s s es s o r o f a fee i n t eres t

, a ten an t

, a l es s ee, an o ccu p an t

, o r a p ers o n

i n co nt ro l o f t h e p rem i s es .” OCGA § 51 -3 -2 1 (3 ). Th i s li s t i n g s u g g es t s s o m e t y p e o f

l eg al ly reco g n i zab l e i n t eres t i n t h e p ro p ert y as o pp o sed to t h e p h y s i cal s en s e o f t h e

19wo rd

— i .e., tak i n g u p s p ace. Here, n o t h i n g in t he reco rd es t ab l is h es th at CAT h as a

l eg al ly reco g n i z a b l e i n t eres t in

, p o s s es s o ry ri g h t s in

, or co n t ro l o v er t h e d o ck

. An d

ev en i f we w ere t o co n s t ru e t h e t erm “ o ccu p an t ” i n t h e RPA’ s d efi ni t i o n of “ o wn er”

as en co m p as si n g s o m eo n e wh o p h y s i cal l y o ccu p ies o r t ak es u p sp ace, t h ere i s n o

ev i d en ce i n t h e reco rd s h o wi n g t h at t h e Ferry was t i ed t o t h e d o ck at t h e t im e o f t h e

co l l ap s e.

W e t h erefo re co n cl ud e t h at CAT i s n o t an “ o wn er” o f t h e p rem i s es an d t h u s i s

n o t en t i t l ed t o im

m u n i t y u n d er t h e RPA. W h i l e th e t ri al co u rt d eci d ed CAT’ s m o t i o n

fo r s u m m ary ju d g m en t b as ed o n t h e i s s u e o f “ recreat i on al p u rp o ses ,” i t di d no t err in

d en y i n g t h e m o t i on , an d we t h erefo re affi rm

. See Pea ch s ta t e Devel o p er s

, LLC v.

Gr eyf i el d Res o u r ces , 2 8 4 Ga. A p p

. 5 01

, 50 5 (2 ) (6 44 SE2 d 3 24 ) (2 0 0 7 ) (“ Th e g ran t

o r d en ial o f s u m

m ary ju d g m en t wi l l b e affi rm ed i f i t i s ri g h t fo r an y reas o n.”).

(b ) Bas ed o n o ur h o ld i n g i n Di v i s i on 3 (a), s u p ra, we n eed n o t ad d res s wh et h er

t h e o t h er s tat ut o ry

co n d i t i o ns fo r i m

m u n i t y u n d er t h e RPA were m et i n t hi s cas e.

Ju d g men t a f fi r med i n Ca s e No

. A1 9

A1 6 03

. Ju d

g men t s r ever s ed in Ca s e No s

.

A1 9 A 1 6 0 4

, A1 9

A 1 6 73

, A1 9

A1 7 1 6

, A1 9A1 7 48

, A1 9A1 7 7 4

, A1 9 A1 7 7 5

, A1 9

A 1 7 7 6,

A1 9 A 1 7 7 7

, A1 9 A 1 7 78

, A1 9

A1 7 7 9

, A1 9A1 7 80

, A1 9A1 7 8 1

, A1 9 A1 7 8 2

, A 1 9

A1 7 8 3,

20A 19A 1784, A 1 9A 1785, A 19A 1786, A1 9 A1 78 7

, A1 9 A 1 7 8 8

. Ba r n es

, P. J., an d M e rc ie r,

J., co n cu r

.

21