Document: 3 L.Ed.2d 524 79 S.Ct. 503 358 U.S. 588 THE Vessel M/V 'TUNGUS,' Her Boilers, Etc., and Den Norske Afrika-Ogv.Olga SKOVGAARD, Administratrix Ad Prosequendum of the Estate Carl E. Skovgaard, Deceased, et al. No. 43. Argued Oct. 23, 1958. Decided Feb. 24, 1959. [Syllabus from 597 intentionally omitted] Mr. J. Ward O'Neill, New York City, for petitioners. Bernard Chazen, Hoboken, N.J., respondents. Justice STEWART delivered opinion Court. 1 On evening December 5, 1952, motor vessel Tungus docked at Bayonne, Jersey, with a cargo coconut oil in its deeptanks. El Dorado Oil Works had been engaged by consignee to handle discharge this cargo, next several hours work pumping ashore was carried on employees, using pump hoses furnished their employer. Two officers two crew members remained aboard, latter specifically assigned assist operations. Shortly after midnight became defective, resulting spillage large quantity over adjacent deck area. The stopped cleaned immediate vicinity. Efforts restore normal operation were unsuccessful, an maintenance foreman, therefore summoned his home repair work. After arriving board he walked through area which not removed, attempting step hatch beams top partly uncovered port deep tank, slipped fell death eight feet hot oil. 2 His widow administratrix, respondent here, commenced suit admiralty against ship owners recover damages death, alleging unseaworthiness negligent failure provide decedent reasonably safe place work.1 District Court dismissed libel, holding that wrongful action would lie, petitioners owed no duty exercising ordinary care 141 F.Supp. 653. Appeals set aside decree remanded case further proceedings, divided en banc court deciding Jersey Wrongful Death Act, N.J.S.A. 2A:31—1 seq., embraces claim unseaworthiness, also erred respect scope petitioners' exercise reasonable decedent's safety. 252 F.2d 14. did decide 'what defenses, if any, might be available,' leaving question determine. Certiorari granted primarily consider relationship maritime local law cases kind. 357 903, 78 1146, 1154. We begin as established principle absence statute there is death. Harrisburg, 119 199, 7 140, 30 L.Ed. 358. Although Congress has enacted legislation, notably Jones Act2 High Seas Act,3 providing actions limited number situations,4 federal applicable present case; Skovgaard seaman,5 occurred upon territorial waters Jersey.6 respondent's rights depended entirely, therefore, statute, long-settled doctrine 'where * results tort committed navigable within State whose statutes give right account act, courts will entertain libel personam sustained those whom such given.' Western Fuel Co. v. Garcia, 257 233, 242, 42 89, 90, 66 210. 4 primary issue case, unanimously saw it, whether giving where caused 'by neglect or default' broad enough encompass vessel.7 It issue—construction state statute—that divided. 5 asks us uphold interpretation majority put statute. Failing that, much broader alternative argument advanced—that may disregard completely conditions it created, apply instead full corpus law, free any qualifications imposed State. If occurs State, runs, should seize only blunt fact some kind tortious conduct. That, said, fill 'void' then becomes all facets, without inquiry what actually enacted. 6 This must rejected. decisions long ago when adopts State's enforce integrated whole, whatever limitations creating attached. That decided Court's language unmistakable: '* (I)f rule administered own jurisdiction, take subject have made part existence. liability remedy are created same statutes, treated right.' page 214, 147. reiterated years.8 See Hamilton, 207 398, 28 133, 52 264; La Bourgogne, 210 95, 664, 973; 210; Levinson Deupree, 345 648, 73 914, 97 1319; cf. Just Chambers, 312 383, 61 687, 85 903. '(A)dmiralty courts, invoked protect rooted endeavor determine issues accordance substantive State.' Garrett Moore-McCormack Co., 317 239, 245, 63 246, 251, 87 239. policy expressed Legislature enacting merely shall rise recovery, nor even conduct actionable, but recoverable particular incumbent enforcing all; pick choose. 8 manifest, moreover, acceptance defeat intent preserve sovereignty deaths torts waters. legislative history Act discloses clear congressional purpose leave 'unimpaired under jurisdiction States.' S. Rep. 216, 66th Cong., 1st Sess. 3; H.R.Rep. 674, 2d 3. record debate House Representatives preceding passage bill reflects concern power States create way affected enactment law. 59 Cong.Rec. 4482—4486. 9 There merit contention application arising destructive uniformity Even Southern Pacific Jensen, fathered 'uniformity' concept, recognized offended 'the given cases.' 244 205, 37 524, 529, 1086. anomaly hold circumstances exists. includes necessity recovery permitted not. Cf. Caldarola Eckert, 332 155, 67 1569, 91 1968. 10 hold, correct viewing basic before one Jersey. frame reference we presented. 11 negligence needs little discussion. Obviously negligently caused. pointed out over-all control vessel, they well aware existence spill danger approximately hour arrived board. Upon these facts concluded carry repairing pump. In reaching conclusion distinguished Supreme decision Broecker Armstrong Cork 128 N.J.L. 3, 24 A.2d 194. find reason disposition branch case. 12 As other issues, encompassed matter law.9 three dissenting reached opposite conclusion. Apparently because trial finding contributory assumption risk, refrained effect findings, arose retrial. 13 just 'as originating foreign jurisdiction.' 652, 916, 1319. Yet simply spoken common Act. sum, knowing impose uniform legal standards throughout rules different govern if, meeting aboard Tungus, killed dock. An effort resolve less than Appeals, could nothing prediction, prediction tomorrow proved wrong alone render authoritative interpretation. 14 view considerations, plausibly argued judgment vacated, held until parties can secure controlling seriously doubtful Under traditional principles equitable abstention often followed course obviously wise avoiding unnecessary resolution constitutional issues. Railroad Commission Texas Pullman 496, 643, 971; City Chicago Fieldcrest Dairies, 316 168, 62 986, 86 1355; Spector Motor Service, Inc., McLaughlin, 323 101, 65 152, 89 101; American Federation Labor Watson, 327 582, 761, 90 873; Leiter Minerals, Inc. United States, 352 220, 77 287, 267. Thompson Magnolia Petroleum 309 478, 60 628, 84 876. 15 Before dispose like way, however, important competing jurisdictional considerations thoroughly evaluated. Propper Clark, 337 472, 486—489, 69 1333, 1341—1343, 93 1480; Meredith Winter Haven, 320 228, 64 7, 88 9. presented occasion exploration questions.10 banc, careful consideration meaning cannot say clearly wrong. Therefore, despite inherent uncertainties involved, disturb court's Such consistent practice past. Spiegel Commissioner, 335 701, 707—708, 301, 303—304, 330; Ragan Merchants Transfer & Warehouse 530, 534, 1233, 1235, 1520; General Box 351 159, 165, 76 728, 732, 100 1055. 16 Affirmed. 17 FRANKFURTER, concurring Court.* 18 Deeming proper determination importance, I abstain stating my strong conviction, heretofore expressed, situations present, construction not, administration independently lower sought, readily available procedure, court, while court. opinions Sutton Leib, 342 402, 412-414 (concurring opinion), 493-497 (dissenting connection Comm'n 500; 484. 19 Where solely concerned diversity situation become relevant. "For purposes is, 'in effect, another State.'" Angel Bullington, 330 183, 187. 20 BRENNAN, Chief Justice, BLACK, DOUGLAS join, part. 21 statement time accident order used discharging oil—in unloading vessel. While member crew, rather employee independent contractor, unquestionably seaworthiness. Pope Talbot, Hawn, 346 406, 412—413, 74 202, 206—207, 98 143. means was, put, 'warranty,' more precisely stated, obligation, certain persons, equipment, appurtenances met standard. For breach duty, meet standard, gave injury person owed, owner bound respond damages. Skovgaard's fall, occasioned thereby, injured him short doubt afford injury, defense took place.1 supra, pages 409 410, 204—205. But injuries almost immediately fatal, and, evident record, principal, sole, alleged seaworthiness 358, human being, duty. 22 light holding, addresses itself problem utilized furnish federally defined Skovgaard. solution problem, fear posed question. takes utilize supply charged here. accepts answer 'incorporates' taken is. think wrong, reasons why. I. 23 First. developed entitled accident, regard denies torts. Though far being prior based largely harsh common-law principle, lately evolved,2 appropriate civil parcel our jurisprudence. harshness averted drawing remedies fatal To extent antedated cited illustrate. See, e.g., Garland, D.C., F. 924. continued thereafter, extended high seas, beyond 264. And 1920, 41 Stat. 537, 46 U.S.C. § 761 U.S.C.A. occurring marine league shore, acts admiralty, pursuant terms wrongs individual vary terminology acts—acts estate, specified beneficiaries, harm done killing decedent. development brought about always embodied statutory enactment, now premise country. fashion anywhere jurisdiction. 25 Second. Can remedy, afforded maintain seaworthy condition? can. viewed today below State; ascribed process divining 'intent' various legislatures fruitful one, makes abundantly clear, intimated, do believe real asking failed grasp distinction here between duties remedies; governing details behavior specific judicial sanctions vital understanding recall claimed broken grounded strained Harrisburg kill persons condition constituting forth cause nonetheless resulted nonfatal injury. looks incorporates standard care. plainly declared 409, party seeks 'a state-created remedy' owing him, 'federal controlling.' does refer recent expression, greatest relevance Given system universal ours, unwarrantedly 1086,3 make applicability dependent frankly suppositious legislatures, generally acting concept emerged. invariably courts. 26 creates potential differences availability victim dies opposed death; exist varying degrees States. variation necessary enforcement unseaworthiness. need remedies. Carlisle Packing Sandanger, 259 255, 475, 927; 239.4 postulate system, though provided legislation decisional background look complete rational way. Cox Roth, 348 207, 210, 75 244, 99 260. Any provides drawn action. 389, 692, 27 true state-law frequently 'new action.' Turon L. Construction N.J. 543, 556, 192, 198; Ake Birnbaum, 156 Fla. 735, 751, So.2d 213, 215, 216;5 Seward Vera Cruz, A.C. 59, 67. so do, sense none existed before, favor classes potentially distributees designed redress every them. insofar effecting general rough equivalency lies causing subjects flexibility fashioning content 'cause action' variable uncertain point analyzing senses statutes. remedial, Used remedial purposes, interfere character Chelentis Luckenbach S.S. 247 372, 384, 38 501, 504, 1171, effective method promoting it. Of objection incidents supplement initiative concerned. limitation analogous types claims define provided. Campbell Haverhill, 155 610, 217, 39 280; Cope Anderson, 331 461, 1340, 1602; Holmberg Armbrecht, 392, 395, 584, 743; Hamilton Foundry Machine International Molders Workers Union, Cir., 193 209, 215. incident, tied up felt having definition, claims, rationally analogy pattern end. basis view, use 29 am supported carefully reasoned Appeals. Kuhn York, 274 N.Y. 118, N.E.2d 300; Riley Agwilines, 296 718. Both considered Saving Clause, 1333(1), theories Statute, Decedent Law, 130, breaches essentially source application: '(W)e Federal liabilities shipowners torts, conflict courts.' 405—406, 718, 719. Statute compelling.6 O'Leary Lines 215 708, 711. Third. reach contrary result authorities relied Court, urged petitioner. 147, describing enforced both remedy. sought mature state, origin incidents. Shipping Sieracki, 328 85, 872, 1099; supra; Alaska Petterson, 347 396, 601, 798. point, together reliance, act utilized. aspect personal actions, see McAllister 221, 224, 228—229, 1201, 1206—1207, 1272. most period making stated therein, laches. 1319, instant apparently assumed seaman's harbor worker's all, collision motorboats Ohio River, girl riding assistance majority, since procedural binding Lindgren 281 38, 50 686, representative sue all. dealt Act's provision removing invoke Acts identical gravamen negligence. And, although allege briefly observed construed equally foreclosing statute's count. premised applicable.7 Finally, required forum involved. 158, 1570, 1968;8 Testa Katt, 386, 810, 967. 31 reasoning somehow dispositive appears me continue confusion No contending area; incident assert interested preserving availability. suggestion intended waters, proceedings. Congress' measures water cases. offers guide prevailed fatal. concrete examples saving floor dwelt length, 4484—4485, scheme ibid., challenged odd draw restrictive inferences extend reveal utmost precision thought regarding role certainly infer anomalous one. 32 Clearly, then, neither materials foreclose approach indicated, past indicated. A essential matters cognizance, exegesis each way; feature country, features sufficient ground nonessential matters, essentials diverse. systems determining conduct, depending kills injures victim, conscious choice nonuniform matter, 33 contended contours diverse lists beneficiaries event attained, accordingly said inappropriate seek enforced. persuasive. distribution funds accruing representatives peculiarly competence Certainly supra. disturbing distributional peculiar statute.9 II. 34 Petitioner contends claim, improperly applied owner. citing cases, indicated place. findings defenses applies precedents below. believes properly above, agree. 204, theory care, coupled ship, statuts, Max Morris, 137 1, 14—15, 29, 32—33, 586. factual involving proof claimed, intertwined. 416, 208 opinion); 224—225, 1203—1204, Baltimore Philips, 316, 47 600, 71 1069. My plain related obligation inflict them accidents injuries. tenable. Since Appeals' affirmed except directed III. 35 Admiralty judgemade extensive responsibility Wilburn Boat Fireman's Fund 310, 314, 368, 370, 337; John G. Stevens, 170 113, 126—127, 544, 549—550, 969. places assuring product coherent rational. creativity demonstrated accomplishing this. Today announces strange gives compulsion precedent Congress. Its purely making. demands fulfillment today.10 36 concur affirming asserted presumably survival 2A:15—3, abandoned. 1007, 688, 688. 537 seq. Longshoremen's Harbor Workers' Compensation 44 1424 901 shows awarded compensation her 'twilight zone.' Davis Department Labor, 249, 225, 246. seaman *.' 'wrongful neglect, default seas shore 761. relevant text follows: 'When default, would, ensued, who liable ensued damages, notwithstanding amounting crime.' 2A:31—1. understood Halecki Sandy Hook Pilots Ass'n, 251 vacated 613, 517; Continental Casualty Benny Skou, 200 246; Graham A. Lusi, Ltd., 206 223; Lee Pure 218 711; Klingseisen Costanzo Transp. 101 902; H.S., 72, 130 341; Feige Hurley, 575; Curtis Garcia y Cia., 241 30; O'Brien 293 170; Quinette Bisso, 136 825, L.R.A., N.S., 303; W. Thompson, D.C.S.D.N.Y., 115; 718; Line 708. determined class protected warranty found incorporated. subsidiary correct. status practically indistinguishable plaintiff 143, difference grain, unloaded loaded. Indeed, suggested counsel. Clearly pursued admiralty. forums, circumstances, arguably room defensive limitations. note 1204, finally settled sitting regime Swift Tyson, Pet. 865, Insurance Brame, 95 754, 580. citation Jensen lending support position taken. quoted, says allowed perform function area, everyone concedes fear, too, somewhat deprecatory ignoring basically sound enduring decision, exhibit independence course, warranted criticism unfortunate practical application. Gilmore Black, Law Admiralty, 1—17. quotation Garrett, State,' conclusion, patent begging involved judged rights, remain apparent again others, suggests possibly 'rights' infringed death—one beneficiaries. analytically helpful situation. measure typically limit tort-feasor 'right' enjoyed meant special distinct attributable single Judge Learned Hand's Guerrini 167 352, 354, compelled amply themselves. 264, holds seas. Holmes Id., 406—407, 135. 973, French France Corsair, 145 335, 949, 727, Louisiana LSA—C.C. art. 2315, lien. lien, discussed. Lines, 295 463, 68 444, 1968, preclusive year later 513, Despite initial Puleo H. Moss 159 842, 845, quickly retracted 355, Conservation 45 54, 457, (as generally), 'within national park exclusive cerritorial cognizance Toomer Witsell, 334 385, 393, 1156, 1160, 92 1460, hence go inapposite. likewise hardly comport sent obtain adjudication inclinations direction discernible opinion. words Stone 9, lesson here; recollect diversity, 'was conferred benefit serve convenience.' 234, 11.

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