Document: 361 U.S. 118 80 S.Ct. 189 4 L.Ed.2d 161 Edgar Allen WEST, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATE v. America, United States Department of Commerce, Maritime Administration, et al. No. 11. Argued Nov. 12, 1959. Decided Dec. 7, Mr. Abraham E. Freedman, Philadelphia, Pa., for petitioner. Leavenworth Colby, Washington, D.C., respondents. Justice CLARK delivered the opinion Court. 1 This is a libel filed pursuant to Public Vessels Act, 46 U.S.C. § 781 seq., U.S.C.A. and involving liability shipowner injuries suffered by an employee independent contractor while working inside main engine vessel as it was undergoing complete overhaul at contractor's repair docks in Philadelphia. Petitioner claims unseaworthy that respondent negligent, any event, not furnishing him safe place work. The District Court denied recovery, 143 F.Supp. 473, Appeals affirmed 3 Cir., 256 F.2d 671. We granted certiorari. 359 924, 79 606, 627. affirm judgment.1 2 findings trial judge, approved Appeals, show S.S. Mary Austin owned built during World War II 'Liberty' ship. It had been 'moth-ball fleet' Norfolk, Virginia, total deactivation several years, with its pipes, boilers, tanks completely drained, oil preservative injected through them prevent rusting. In 1951 ordered reactivated contractor, Atlantic Port Contractors, Inc., selected prepare her sea duty, Under specifications contract, reactivate completely, 'cleaning repairing all water lines, replacement defective or missing plugs other parts, testing lines before closing placing active operating condition.' have responsibility control making repairs, right inspect work materials insure compliance contract. For this purpose, placed six men—a captain, chief mate, second engineer, assistant steward—on board vessel. However, they signed no shipping articles 'control ship ordinarily accepted context,' their sole function being serve inspectors States. Thereafter towed Philadelphia turned over performance petitioner, shore-based low pressure cylinder when he injured. He kneeling on his knee end plug from one-inch pipe system propelled top open hit left knee. indicate loosely fitted overhead that, another without warning, forced off, hitting Recovery sought theory insecurely therefore incapable withstanding exerted upon it. addition, petitioner claimed liable negligence maintaining work, duty asserted be non-delegable absolute. I. 5 contends comes under doctrine Seas Shipping Co. Sieracki, 1946, 328 85, 66 872, 90 L.Ed. 1099, subsequent cases, holding warranty seaworthiness applies workers performing traditionally done seamen. do think so. said applied because such shore worker 'is, short, seaman * doing seaman's incurring hazards.' Id., 99, 880. here, however, withdrawn operation whatever storage 'moth ball fleet.' drained antirust therein. Her towing specific purpose delivery render seaworthy. representation contract she seaworthy voyage major repairs called therein would necessary one undertaken. evident ship's Atlantic's dock make totality reparation included hundreds calling repairing, reconditioning, replacement, where necessary, equipment so fit machinery, equipment, gear, every part Strangely enough, line metal specifically pointed were listed repairing' 'replacement plugs.' court said, equivalent 'home port structural repairs.' 6 On hand, vessels involved cases depended petitioner2 were, times injuries, hands owners charterers, and, instead general maritime service course loading unloading cargo voyages. workmen, like seamen, ships, gear. They obliged shipowners supplied only fair latter subjected absolute ships But situation present here. Austin, anyone could see, service. She renovation, knew. Furthermore, took orders shipowner. knew who control. undertaking 'ship's work' but nature, magnitude, importance require docked pier unfair contradiction say owner held out case. appear focus should status ship, pattern extensive nature contracted done, rather than type each numerous workmen shipboard moment injury. job analysis which call lead fortuitous results. We, therefore, believe Sieracki applicable, obviates necessity our discussion situations themselves are Austin. Here there express implied person. II. 7 presenting alternative ground has dual theory. first says furnish violation does depend fault. If unsuccessful position, insists respondent's failure keep tight negligence.3 8 Other seaworthiness, whose nonrelevancy case we set forth, decisions establish basis apart Of course, aspect shipowner's refrain negligent conduct embodied exercise reasonable care owed circumstances overlooks here vessels, power either supervise engaged. decisive against both aspects plaintiff's There hidden fedect system. objects repaired replaced necessary. Its contractor—not appears manifestly apply requirement effect creates danger makes unsafe. respondent, having hired perform reconditioning including testing—was protect risks inherent carrying Courts seem followed rule. See Filipek Moore-McCormack Lines, 258 734. Although some employees attach since gave orders, did participate progress, simply observers. page 737. 9 cites Crumady Joachim Hendrik Fisser, 1959, 358 423, 445, 413, support contention. unloaded safety cutoff device winch twice tonnage limit rigging. When stevedore, unaware situation, brought into play, rigging snapped injury resulted. found adjusted way made unsafe dangerous, liable. comparable. owner, well setting device. Any culpability chargeable Nor New York Jersey Sandy Hook Pilots Ass'n Halecki, 613, 517, 541, similar situation. directed use carbon tetrachloride confined spaces room. resulting fumes fatally injured workman, necessitating remand question. ship; overhaul, performed direction While might instances defects, sometimes 'latent,' guilty negligence, even though hold chargeable. judgment affirmed. 10 Affirmed. deciding claim contractor. Transport West Virginia Imbrovek, 1914, 234 52, 34 733, 58 1208; International Stevedoring Haverty, 1926, 272 50, 47 19, 71 157; Pope & Talbot Hawn, 1953, 346 406, 74 202, 98 143; Alaska Steamship Petterson, 1954, 347 396, 601, 798; 413. selection

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