Opinion ID: 8414984
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Buchanan

Text: The district court correctly dismissed all the remaining claims against Buchanan. Buchanan is Volk’s employer and ordinarily would be immune from suit under 33 U.S.C. § 905(a). As bareboat charterer of the Barge, however, Buchanan is a dual capacity employer-vessel owner. See Reed v. S.S. Yaka, 373 U.S. 410, 412, 83 S.Ct. 1349, 10 L.Ed.2d 448 (1963) (“It has long been recognized in the law of admiralty that for many, if not most, purposes the bareboat charterer is to be treated as the owner.”). Therefore, if Buchanan were negligent in its vessel capacity in relation to Volk’s injury, Buchanan would be liable under 33 U.S.C. § 905(b) in the same manner as a third party. Gravatt, 226 F.3d at 119. The district court ruled that Buchanan was not acting in a capacity as vessel owner in relation to Volk’s injury, and therefore is liable exclusively for Volk’s workers’ compensation payments under the LHWCA. See 33 U.S.C. § 905(a) (stating that employer is liable exclusively for scheduled no-fault compensation). Volk does not challenge that ruling on appeal. Because the statutory, no-fault compensation payments under the LHWCA are Volk’s exclusive remedy as to Buchanan, his general maritime law and state law claims against Buchanan were properly dismissed. See id.