Document: 342 U.S. 187 72 S.Ct. 216 96 L.Ed. 205 DESPERv.STARVED ROCK FERRY CO. No. 231. Argued Dec. 6, 1951. Decided Jan. 2, 1952. Rehearing Denied Feb. 4, See 934, 374. Mr. Joseph D. Ryan, Chicago, Ill., for petitioner. Charles T. Shanner, respondent. Justice JACKSON delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Petitioner brought suit under Jones Act1 to recover damages death her intestate son from injuries sustained during course his employment by The Court Appeals Seventh Circuit reversed judgment District entered on a jury's verdict in petitioner's favor.2 This granted certiorari.3 2 Respondent operates small fleet sightseeing motorboats Illinois River vicinity Starved Rock. boats are navigated Coast Guard regulations personnel licensed Department Commerce. Operations necessarily restricted summer months. Each fall beached and put up blocks winter. In spring each is overhauled before being launched season. decedent, Thomas J. Desper, Jr., was first employed respondent April, 1947, help prepare their seasonal launching. June same year he acquired necessary operator's license Commerce and, remainder that season, as boat operator. When season closed, helped take out water block them His terminated December 19, 1947. 3 Desper re-employed March 15, 1948. There testimony then engaged resume duties when were back water. For time being, however, cleaning, painting, waterproofing boats, preparing navigation. On date accident, April 26th, still blocked land. Several men, among them, board moored barge, maintained machine shop, warehouse, waiting room ticket office, painting life preservers use boats. One man working fire extinguisher. It exploded, killing him Desper. 4 Act confers cause action 'any seaman.'4 opposition Act, contended at death, not 'seaman' within meaning Act. Whether such critical issue case which reached this 5 contends 1939 Amendment Federal Employers' Liability Act5 extended scope word 'seaman,' used include those whose work 'substantially affects' provides that: 'Any employee carrier, any part shall be furtherance interstate or foreign commerce; shall, way directly closely substantially, affect commerce above set forth * considered carrier entitled benefits chapter.' 6 reads with provision statutes 'modifying extending common-law right remedy cases personal injury railway employees' apply seaman's action. We agree court below has no effect 'right remedy' employees but merely redefines purposes 'employee' certain persons theretofore covered, because they commerce. does extend one who before. Seamen given rights definition never made dependent legislation applicable railroads. 7 next question whether, without reference Amendment, decedent death. many turning upon whether an individual demonstrate matter depends largely facts particular activity injury. unique. quite clearly usually done 'seaman.' afloat had neither captain nor crew. They undergoing repairs, kind that, larger vessels, would customarily exclusively shore-based personnel. number reasons ships might launched, operate one. To sure, probable navigator near future, law cover expectant seamen being. our conclusion while repair purview distinct nature emphasized fact there vessel navigation decedent's All been 'laid winter'. Hawn v. American S.S. Co., Cir., 107 F.2d 999, 1000; cf. Seneca Washed Gravel Corp. McManigal, 65 779, 780. words Antus Interocean 108 185, 187, where it held member ship's crew injured winter quarters could maintain injuries: 'The been, expected future be, seaman render maritime its nature.' 8 Both petitioner filed applications Industrial Commission seeking provided Workmen's Compensation State. S.H.A. ch. 48, § 138 et seq. rendered award favor, she states taken appeal appropriate state ground 'without jurisdiction.' She specify why thinks so, we surmise reason avoid conflict contention exclusive jurisdiction premises vested federal courts do understand have position if Longshoremen's Harbor Workers' Act6 is, Commission, therefore, event. applicability appear record raised either party below.7 Neither We, find inappropriate resolve conflict, any, between Cf. Southern Pacific Co. Jensen, 244 205, 37 524, 61 1086; Parker Motor Boat Sales, 314 244, 62 221. 86 184; Davis Labor, 317 249, 63 225, 87 246. 9 think properly disposed presented. Accordingly, affirmed. 10 Affirmed. 11 BLACK DOUGLAS dissent, affirm 12 KEROTEST MFG. C-O-TWO FIRE EQUIPMENT 38 Stat. 1185, 41 1007, 46 U.S.C. 688, U.S.C.A. 688. 188 177. 847, 77. 'Recovery seaman' suffer may, election, law, trial jury, all United States modifying apply; result representative may conferring regulating applicable. Jurisdiction actions district defendant employer resides principal office located.' 53 1404, 45 51, 51. 44 1424 amended, 33 901 seq., Appeals, phrasing presented case, advanced proposition recovery 'is afforded *.' (188 page 179.) only remedy, cannot prevail intended decide proceed compensation act.

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