Opinion ID: 6572
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Proper Maintenance of the Temperature

Text: Sun next complains that the Carriers did not maintain the temperature of the oil. This contention is logical: If some of the oil cooled to such an extent that it solidified, the Carriers clearly failed to maintain the temperature of that portion of the oil. Captain Beza, in so many words, admitted that such was the case. However, the captain testified that an order to maintain the loaded temperature does not require vessels to maintain every square inch of the cargo at one temperature. According to Captain Beza, a maintain heat order requires vessels to maintain the average temperature of their cargo. Captain Beza testified that his interpretation of the order was consistent with the standards in the high-temperature fuel oil transportation industry. Sun 15 Averring that the law does not require one to do a vain thing, Sun argues that it would have been vain to order the ship to raise the temperature. This axiom is not helpful to Sun's case. The basic premise underlying this axiom is that one who fails to act must know that his act would be vain. One who fails to act out of ignorance or neglect may not take advantage of this principle. 14 proffered no testimony or evidence which contradicted the Carriers' contention that, based upon industry standards, the vessel complied with Sun's orders.16 Sun's argument that the Carriers failed to maintain the load temperature is therefore not well taken.