Document: 498 U.S. 337 111 S.Ct. 807 112 L.Ed.2d 866 McDERMOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC., Petitioner,v.Jon C. WILANDER. No. 89-1474. Argued Dec. 3, 1990. Decided Feb. 19, 1991. Syllabus Respondent Wilander, a paint foreman injured at work while assigned to "paint boat" chartered by petitioner McDermott International, sued under the Jones Act. The Act provides cause of action in negligence for "any seaman" "in course his employment," but does not define "seaman." moved summary judgment, alleging that, as matter law, Wilander was District Court denied motion, and jury entered an award finding, inter alia, that performance duties contributed vessel's function or accomplishment its mission therefore satisfied Fifth Circuit's test seaman status. Circuit affirmed, refusing abandon favor Seventh more stringent standard, which, effect, requires "seaman" aid navigation vessel. Held: One need vessel order qualify Pp. 810-818. (a) In absence contrary indication, it may be assumed Act's failure indicates congressional intent word have established meaning general maritime law time passage. 810-811. (b) At passage 1920, no requirement navigation. Although certain early cases had imposed such requirement, review later demonstrates abandoned rule requiring only employed on board furtherance purpose. 811-813. (c) Longshore Harbor Workers' Compensation (LHWCA)—which enacted 1927 recovery injury broad range land-based workers, explicitly excludes from coverage "a master member crew any vessel"—does change That are mutually exclusive, is same "master vessel." Swanson v. Marra Brothers, Inc., 328 1, 7, 66 869, 872, 90 L.Ed. 1045. LHWCA exception thus refines term "seaman," restricting sea-based employees, indicate members required navigate. 346-348. (d) conflict addressed here has source this Court's inconsistent use cases. slipped into case South Chicago Coal & Dock Co. Bassett, 309 251, 260, 60 544, 549, 84 732, decided before recognized Swanson, supra, two Acts exclusive. subsequently ruled another pre-Swanson case, Norton Warner Co., 321 565, 64 747, 88 931, Bassett read restrictively embraces "member crew" essential operation welfare vessel, series post-Swanson either asserted relied even though they afforded status claimants working vessels whose jobs connection navigation, see, e.g., Butler Whiteman, 356 271, 78 734, 2 754. Such engendered confusion led lower courts myriad standards lack uniformity administering elements 348-353. (e) come jettison language. better rule—the best explains consistent with pre-Jones interpretation Congress' land-based/sea-based distinction Acts—is LHWCA, Act, terms employee's particular job, solely A necessary element perform i.e., contribute mission. 355-357. (f) question who characterized mixed fact than pure jury. It court proper legal standard find facts apply standard. narrow presented here—whether should precluded because he did transportation-related functions vessel—is must answered negative. 817-818. 887 F.2d (CA5 1989), affirmed. O'CONNOR, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. James B. Doyle, Lake Charles, La., petitioner. Jennifer J. Bercier, Cameron, respondent. Justice O'CONNOR 1 whether one 46 U.S.C.App. § 688. * Jon worked foreman. His consisted primarily supervising sandblasting painting various fixtures piping located oil drilling platforms Persian Gulf. On July 4, 1983, inspecting pipe platform when bolt serving plug blew out pressure, striking head. time, American-flag M/V Gates Tide, contained equipment used platforms. 3 United States Western Louisiana, seeking McDermott's related accident. entitled recovery. motion. App. 19. bifurcated trial, first determined Wilander's seaman. By special interrogatory, found permanently to, performed substantial amount aboard, Tide mission, thereby satisfying Offshore Robison, 266 769 1959). Pet. Cert. 16-17. motion judgment based findings. Id., 10-16. 4 then proceeded trial issues liability damages. primary injuries, been 25% contributorily negligent. awarded $337,500. notwithstanding verdict, id., 19-21, both parties appealed. 5 Appeals affirmed determination status, finding sufficient evidence support jury's Robison test. 88, (1989). asked reject "contribut[e] mission," 779, Johnson John F. Beasley Construction 742 1054 (CA7 1984). relying vessel—held conferred employees make significant contribution maintenance, operation, transportation 1063 (emphasis added). 6 concluded would meet requirements test, reaffirmed held F.2d, 90-91. We granted certiorari, 496 935, 110 3212, 660 (1990), resolve between tests issue transportation/navigation now affirm. II A. 7 1903, Osceola, 189 158, 23 483, 47 760, summarized state seamen's remedies law. Writing Court, Brown reviewed leading English American authorities declared settled several propositions: 8 "1. her owners liable, falls sick, wounded, service ship, extent maintenance cure, wages, least so long voyage continued. 9 "2. owner are, liable indemnity injuries received seamen consequence unseaworthiness ship. . 10 "3. all themselves, fellow servants, hence cannot recover sustained through beyond expense their cure. 11 "4. allowed master, crew. ." 175, S.Ct., 487. 12 Osceola seaman's right unseaworthiness, excluded remedy. 13 Congress twice attempted overrule create seamen. Seamen's 1915, 38 Stat. 1164, dealt proposition servant doctrine. Section 20 1915 provided: "That suit damages having command shall fellow-servants those authority." 1185. ineffective. Petitioner Chelentis Luckenbach S.S. 247 372, 501, 62 1171 (1918), fireman steamship J.L. Luckenbach, ship's resulting alleged superior officer. explained "irrelevant." 384, 504. successfully officer Chelentis' servant, overlooked Osceola's fourth proposition. longer still Under there negligence. U.S., 14 tried different tack 1920. passed which employment." removes bar articulated Osceola. 15 Neither Osceola; simply uses other admiralty courts. assume way. For thing, what precludes. "The purpose remove created rights tort victims." G. Gilmore Black, Law Admiralty 328-329 (2d ed. 1975). See also Goltra, 293 155, 159, 55 46, 48, 79 254 (1934). responding directly adopts without further elaboration Moreover, art. we statute term, intended meaning. Morissette States, 342 246, 263, 72 240, 249, 96 288 (1952); Gilbert 370 650, 658, 82 1399, 1403, 750 (1962). Our task, therefore, determine B 16 Since Judiciary federal eligible benefits Prior these included outlined lien against ship wages. generally 35-36, 281; Stevens, 170 113, 119, 18 546, 42 969 (1898); Certain limited aided seaman—sometimes referred mariner—must actually navigate: "[T]he persons engaged possessed some skill They able 'hand, reef steer,' ordinary seamanship." Canton, F.Cas. 29, 30 (No. 2,388) (D.Mass.1858). Gurney Crockett, 123, 124 5,874) (SDNY 1849). 17 Notwithstanding doctrine, throughout last century consistently direct Firemen, engineers, carpenters, cooks were considered See, Wilson Ohio, 149 17,825) (ED Pa.1834) (firemen); Allen Hallet, 472 223) 1849) (cook); Sageman Brandywine, 21 12,216) (D.Mich.1852) (female cook); Sultana, 379 13,602) (D.Mich.1857) (clerk). M. Norris, Seamen 2.3 (4th 1985); Engerrand Bale, Seaman Status Reconsidered, 24 S.Tex.L.J. 431, 432-433 (1983). Some classify conception indirectly supporting responsible moving vessel: services rendered necessary, or, least, preservation labour navigate her." Trainer Superior, 130, 131 14,136) Pa.1834). This fiction carpenters—who fed navigated kept repair cooper job barrels whaling? As 1832, Story, sitting circuit, "[a] 'cooper' contemplation although peculiar ship." Thompson, 28 102 16,492) (CCD Mass.1832). Story made reference declaring that: "A cook steward sense them. So pilot, surgeon, ship-carpenter, boatswain, deemed seamen, sue admiralty." Ibid. 19 middle 19th century, treatise noted wide variety benefits: "Masters, mates, sailors, surveyors, coopers, stewards, cooks, cabin boys, kitchen pilots, firemen, deck hands, waiters,—women well men,—are mariners." E. Benedict, 278, p. 158 (1850). Benedict require mariner includes ships during assist preservation, promote purposes voyage." explained, rule; world properly extended set sea: "It universally conceded principles applied new kinds property, spring existence progress society, according nature incidents, common community. periods commerce, oar great agent propulsion, entirely unlike modern times—and each nation period agents commerce adapted own wants waters, names descriptions number. class mariners armed embraced officers privates little army. whale sealing vessel—the codfishing herring fishing lumber freighting passenger vessel—there besides mere men know nothing seamanship—and invention times, steamboat, operatives, employed, yet times countries, necessarily co-labourers voyage, have, clothed mariners—no might sex, character, station profession." 241, pp. 133-134. late 20th centuries, altogether, including maintained allegiance specialized relation crucial something akin Benedict's "great Thus, holding fisherman, chambermaid, waiter benefits, then-Judge Brown, author eschewed navigation: "[A]ll hands upon except [seaman's wages] if main object enterprise she engaged." Minna, 759, 760 Mich.1882). Judge Learned Hand rejected awarding bartender: "As I can see principle reason why artificial limitation exclusion others equally decide libelant wages bartender." J.S. Warden, 175 314, 315 1910). Miller Maggie P., 32 300, 301 Mo.1887), employment tied "pronounced inadmissible indecisive decisions." Ocean Spray, 558, 560-561 10,412) (D Ore.1876) (sealers interpreters; citing supra ); Carrier Dove, 97 111, (CA1 1899) (fisherman); Atlantic Transport 188 (CA2 1911) (horseman); Virginia Belle, 204 692, 693-694 Va. 1913) (engineer assisted fishing); Baron Napier, 249 126 (CA4 1918) (muleteer). 2.3; S.Tex.L.J., 434-435, nn. 29-30. An 1883 declared: "All mariners, name seamen." Cohen, 239. 22 believe person conclude passage, over, however. C continued construe broadly after International Stevedoring Haverty, 272 50, 71 157 (1926), stevedore covered employment. Haverty longshore worker stowing freight hold docked "as commonly used, stevedores 'seamen.' " 52, "But words flexible. willingly protection vary accident being rather would, did, Within six months decision (LHWCA), 44 (part 2) 1424, amended, 33 U.S.C. §§ 901-950. 902(3)(G). distinction, albeit belatedly, 1045 (1946), concluding relief restricted vessel": "We take effect provisions [LHWCA] confine plying navigable waters substitute compensation given [LHWCA]." 872. "[M]aster refinement Act; odd true key appears statute. 25 With clear workers. latter, owe employer, Ironically, day handed down Seas Shipping Sieracki, 85, 1099 (1946). reasoning remarkably similar traditional remedy where "is doing incurring hazards." 99, 880. took bit react time. 1972, amended harbor workers breach duty seaworthiness. 86 1263, 905(b); Miles Apex Marine Corp., ----, 317, ---, 275 (1990). Whether do include 26 "Member closely terms. Indeed, often interchangeably 487; Buena Ventura, 243 797, 799 1916). There cases, overrules Haverty; restates supposed be: employee. III 27 today requirement. inconsistency arose years enactment 1946 recognize mutual exclusivity Jamison Encarnacion, 281 635, 639, 50 440, 442, 74 1082 (1930), Uravic Jarka 282 234, 238, 51 112, 75 312 (1931), reiterated (1934), holding, salutary statutory language "must light mischief corrected end attained." 48. remedial statute, suffers less protected member. 162, 49. All unnecessary, course. Had recognized, defines coverage, answer plain important our look applies employees. adopted definition cases: "[A] degree, lives life sea. enough affects 'the voyage.' Fed. 799, wireless operator brought within term." Warner, 157, 47. quoted Ventura again, specifically point expanded "seaman": 'seaman' undoubtedly once meant could word. But necessities increased, enlarged meaning." n. 47, 1. plainly 29 began 732 (1940). Decedent drowned deckhand lighter fuel steamboats marine equipment. move coal boat fueled. decedent's widow decedent lighter. exclude "those naturally navigation." 549. Without defining precisely aiding entailed, seemed harkening back earlier, discarded notion construing LHWCA. viewed broader crew." stated equate Act: "[The LHWCA], seen, provide who, classed (International [272 (1926) ] ), regarded distinct 'crew.' impose 31 emphasized year one-sentence reversal Cantey McLain Line, 667, 61 829, 85 1111 (1941). case. ruling claimant relief, indistinguishable Diomede Lowe, 87 296 (CA2), cert. denied, 682, 57 783, 81 1340 (1937). F.Supp. 1023 (SDNY), aff'd, 114 1017 1940). Diomede, 298. because, following Cantey, 1023. too recognizing consequently reversed. cited Diomede. not. 931 (1944), again lived barge motive power confined mile radius Philadelphia. taking care barge. concerns very Bassett. unions, appearing amici curiae, employer means "members available Norton, 570-571, 750-751. Cognizant obligation unduly whom provided restrictively: 34 said 'crew' 'who board' 'to navigation.' Id. [309 U.S.], 260 [60 549]. 'putting over helm.' Certainly steer.' Hough pointed 'every privilege like contributes labors about And 759; Disbrow Walsh Bros., 36 607, 608 (bargeman). think Act." 571-572, 751. 35 expressed view close announced Warner. far despite ostensible reversed course, steering toward Unfortunately, carried outmoded Of pre-Swanson, 37 1950's brief decisions, indirect movement Despite results, assert rely Gianfala Texas 350 879, 76 141, 100 775 (1955) (summary order) (citing Bassett; driller submersible barge); Senko LaCrosse Dredging 352 370, 374, 77 415, 417, 404 (1957) (handyman dredge anchored shore met test); Grimes Raymond Concrete Pile 252, 253, 687, 688, 737 (1958) (per curiam ) pile driver radar installation); 754 handyman tug). These contingent concern befuddling, however, part tie ostensibly retaining Following Butler, accepted relegating task making left wake. wayward "myriad status." 494. frustration well: "Diderot previous Supreme mind wrote, 'We labyrinth got lost it. way out.' Johnson, 1060. problems present sundry will lie rational IV 39 language, 40 pair exclusive statutes distinguish taken toin clude indication elsewhere, sea, 41 dissent Chief Stone chastised failing Traditional remedies, "universally growing relationship feature compensating offsetting hazards disadvantages go sea subjected." 104, 882. 106, 882; "peculiar vessel" regardless perform. distinction. face perils decisional, directed. Robertson, New Approach Determining Status, L.Rev. (1985). determinative, 43 Shortly area, decipher correctly 776. mission." 779. employment-related called details, Maryland Casualty Lawson, 94 190, 192 1938) ("There implied definite permanent forward enterprise"), approvingly 573, regard, mission" captures work. V 45 He found, argues company contends furthering Tide. deputy commissioner, administrative officer, authority 257-258, 547-548. If commissioner's conclusive. Senko, findings 417. final reasonable basis." reconsider rule, note crew," fact. When underlying established, undisputed, Pullman-Standard Swint, 456 273, 289, 1781, 1790, (1982) (defining question). terms; finds and, abdicate basis conclusion. persons, applying differ employee Anderson Liberty Lobby, 477 242, 250-251, 106 2505, 2511-2512, 91 202 (1986). many true. inquiry necessity specific; depend precise Desper Starved Rock Ferry 187, 216, 218, 205 (1952) ("The turning individual demonstrate depends largely activity injury"). Nonetheless, directed verdict mandated reasonably Anderson, 248, 2510, 2511-2512. 48 narrow. advanced no. Accordingly, 49 Affirmed.

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