Legal Document

497 U.S. 358 110 S.Ct. 2892 111 L.Ed.2d 292 Everett A. SISSON, Petitionerv.Burton B. RUBY et al. No. 88-2041. Argued April 23, 1990. Decided June 25, Syllabus A fire erupted in the washer/dryer area of petitioner Sisson's pleasure yacht while it was docked at a Lake Michigan marina, destroying and damaging several neighboring vessels marina. Respondents filed claims against Sisson for over $275,000 damages. Invoking Limited Liability Act provision that limits vessel owner's liability any damage done without privity or knowledge to value its freight, petition declaratory injunctive relief Federal District Court limit his $800, yacht's salvage after fire. The court dismissed lack subject-matter jurisdiction, rejecting argument had, inter alia, jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1333(1), which grants district courts maritime jurisdiction. Appeals affirmed. Held: has limitation claim pursuant 1333(1). Maritime is appropriate when potential hazard commerce arises out an activity bears substantial relationship traditional activity. Foremost Ins. Co. v. Richardson, 457 668, 675, n. 5, 102 2654, 2658, 73 300. first half test—that there be activity—is met because fire, began on noncommercial marina navigable waterway, could have spread nearby commercial made inaccessible such vessels. Respondents' effect minimal no were misunderstands nature inquiry, determines activity's impact by examining general character, not actual effects nor particular facts about incident may rendered more less likely disrupt See Executive Jet Aviation, Inc. City Cleveland, 409 249, 93 493, 34 454; Foremost, supra. In determining, as second test, whether between giving rise activity, relevant this case storage maintenance waters. vessel's substantially related contention navigation sole instance, rather than example, incorrect. Were only stated jurisdictional test much clearly economically. Moreover, narrow focus would serve federal policies underlying since need uniform rules conduct limited navigation, but extends least other activities traditionally undertaken Pp. 360-367. 867 F.2d 341, reversed remanded. MARSHALL, J., delivered opinion Court, REHNQUIST, C.J., BRENNAN, BLACKMUN, STEVENS, O'CONNOR, KENNEDY, JJ., joined. SCALIA, concurring judgment, WHITE, joined, post, p. 368. Warren J. Marwedel, Chicago, Ill., petitioner. Robert Kopka, respondents. Justice MARSHALL Court. 1 We must decide "[a]ny civil admiralty jurisdiction," confers petitioner's suit brought connection with vessel. hold does.1 2 owner Ultorian, 56-foot yacht. On September 24, 1985, Ultorian Michigan, unit. destroyed damaged wake respondents damages "without owner" 46 U.S.C.App. 183(a) (1982 ed., Supp. V), argued had action disagreed, dismissing re Complaint Sisson, 663 F.Supp. 858 (ND Ill.1987). sought reconsideration ground independently conferred action. denied motion, both merits basis failure raise before dismissal 668 1196 Ill. 1987). Seventh Circuit affirmed, holding neither 1333(1) 341 (1989). granted certiorari, 493 1055, 863, 107 947 (1990), now reverse. 3 Until recently, tort actions determined largely application "locality" test. As Plymouth, Wall. 20, 36, 18 L.Ed. 125 (1866): "Every species tort, however occurring, board not, if upon high seas waters, cognizance." also 253-254, 497-498, 454 (1972) (describing locality test). marked Court's clear departure from strict There, jet aircraft struck flock sea gulls taking off, lost power, crashed into waters Erie, lay just past end runway. sued city airport, court, arguing Noting "serious difficulties test," id., 255, S.Ct., 498, we refused enter debate occurred where plane been (the Erie) (over land), 266-267, 503-504. Rather, held lacking "the wrong [did not] bear significant activity." Id., 268, 504. 4 Although our terms cases involving aviation torts, case's "thorough discussion theoretical practical problems inherent broadly applying rule . prompted commentators construe determinations outside context torts." 673, 2657, 300 (1982). approved broader interpretation Jet. U.S., 2657. involved collision, what assumed 670, 2, 2656 18-foot boat 16-foot recreational fishing boat, see Richardson Co., 470 699, 700 (MD La.1979). Neither ever engaged 670-671, 2656. "petitioners' necessary" finding 674, 2658 (emphasis added). recognized protecting shipping heart noted interest 5 "cannot adequately served restricted those individuals actually This can fully vindicated all operators are subject conduct. recognize breadth ignores commerce. disruptive collision boats coupled concern law holds compels conclusion two commerce." 674-675, (footnote omitted). 6 footnote above passage, "[n]ot every accident might will support (citing Jet), "potential does case, appropriate." 5. 7 involves located waterway. Certainly, potentially commerce, make Indeed, one most hazards facing See, e.g., Southport Fisheries, Saskatchewan Govt. Office, 161 81, 83-84 (EDNC 1958). 8 contrary happened occurred. inquiry. determine given type character. inquiry turn vessel; source specific location assess features Here, features—a waters—plainly satisfy requirement disruption 9 Our approach here comports way characterized types incidents Foremost. aspect satisfied "an sinking water create vicinity." Likewise, "[t]he potential[ly] waters." 2658. supported description mouth St. Lawrence Seaway, ibid., heavily traveled vessels, even though place apparently "seldom, ever, used traffic," 2656, 2. thus lead us eschew fact-specific urged respondents.2 10 party seeking invoke show step, define case. "activity" defined circumstances incident, arose. Jet, air travel generally. 269-270, 505. supra, 675-677, 2658-2659 (relevant generally). character is, indeed, suggested required particularly causes harm, they some extent causation issue answer legally analytically antecedent question. Thus, ascertain precise cause in; rather, waters.3 11 final then, "traditional activity" within meaning Foremost.4 that, decline do so. identified intended suggest sufficient confer economically stating torts "navigation." underlie fundamental protection commerce," said cannot unless "all conduct," noncommercial. 12 Clearly, broad perspective demanded Docking waterway common, indispensable, At stored extended period, obtain fuel supplies, moved navigation. voyages begin docking craft therefore conclude storing maintaining 13 For foregoing reasons, addressed claim, intimate view matter. judgment reversed, remanded further proceedings consistent opinion. 14 So ordered. whom WHITE joins, judgment. 15 I agree 1333(1),1 applies Prior (1982), recited applicable "significant activity," devised years earlier 504, (1972). my add new substantive vessel-related merely explains why (which ipso facto relationship"), non-vessel-related come 1333. how goes determining meets relationship" threatens sow confusion been, except margins, settled law. 16 (1866), "[e]very Despite however, crash Erie "civil jurisdiction" assuming regarded having "occurred" acknowledged set forth thought "strict locality" "was established grew up era difficult conceive tortious occurrence waterborne vessel." 254, 497. Whereas tended properly capture business courts, contexts produced "perverse casuistic borderline situations" invocation seem[ed] almost absurd." 498. 17 "If swimmer public beach injured another submerged object bottom, piece machinery sustains being dropped harbor land-based crane, literal invokes full panoply well. these, adhered mechanical sustained despite forms navigation." 255-256, criticism these cases, pointed arisen efforts apply "locality-alone" airplane crashes. Accordingly, interpreted require, aircraft, Plymouth met, concluded wrongs "flights points continental United States," 274, 507, did meet 19 decision understood resting quite simple involve vessel, leading scholars field (notwithstanding dictum Plymouth). E. Benedict, American Admiralty: Its Jurisdiction Practice 173 (1850); G. Robinson, Handbook Admiralty Law States 42, 56, 88 (1939); Gilmore & C. Black, 23-24(2d ed. 1975). very least, conveyed strong implication occurring "in vessel," 497, deemed 20 presumed read proposition "Because 'wrong' here," said, "involves negligent operation believe nexus sustain Court." then proceeded consider reject strictly govern disappears, 'federalism' concerns dictate litigated state courts." Ibid. To contrary, concluded, arise whenever implicated suit; boat's follow "uniform conduct" impact" surely similar transgression 21 caused many lower requiring i.e., involved, specifically particularized showing time alleged generally indeterminate extent, ante, 365-366, (collecting cases). reading imputes latter error. referred collision" rebut purposes affect It enough could. But response reasonably converted available—that single instance exist No susceptible ready (and rule) so pass "overbreadth" One afford, perhaps avoid, case-by-case analysis few lying margins—when, falls lake—but folly generality vessels.2 Today's opinion, engaging degree instrumentality caused) 362-364, reinforces erroneous 22 What today's achieves reminiscent respect contracts. course, contract "touch[es] rights duties appertaining navigation," Story, Commentaries Constitution 528 (1833). instead adopting, contracts (until today) matters directly covered, draw line finely, That body long criticism. impossibility drawing principled what, addition fact relates maritime) needed order itself "maritime," ridicule enterprise. scholar 1924, building repairing vessels"—the former nonmaritime, People's Ferry Boston Beers, How. 393, 961 (1858), maritime, New Bedford Dry Dock Purdy, 258 96, 42 243, 66 482 (1922)—"and results obtained therefrom, humorous deserve insertion laws Gerolstein." Hough, Jurisdiction—Of Late Years, 37 Harv.L.Rev. 529, 534 (1924).3 There justification contracts, "vessel" torts. And am suggesting abandonment field, developed rules, irrational be.4 reason expanding field. with, commentary judicial effort so: "The seems unfortunate increasing complication uncertainty without, apparently, securing gain compensate disadvantages." Note, Over Torts, 210, 211 (1903), discussing Campbell H. Hackfield Ltd. (D.Haw., Oct. 21, 1902), aff'd, F. 696 (CA9 1903). 23 sensible drawn including conducting normal waters—that matter, waters—falls courts. across board. conclusive establish aboard "wrong" (navigating), consisted precisely fashion—and emphasized reality. present question) alone suffice. sufficed, gave indication revolutionizing noteworthy, moreover, later Offshore Logistics, Tallentire, 477 207, 106 2485, 91 174 (1986), described "relationship" reference injury, injury occurred: "[A]dmiralty appropriately invoked principles furtherance [transporting workers drilling platform sea] bearing 218-219, 2492-2493. occurs (1) (2) (3) engages navigates, lies dock, anything else (e.g., dropping anchor) normally straightforward jettison entirely, return (for vessels) test—which context, observed "worked satisfactorily," eliminate evidently achieve—the elegance produce manner suggested. 24 leave unusual defamation "a libel published circulated exclusively shipboard," 531,5 me little difference principle bringing slip-and-fall event, exotic appear frequently musings "thoroughbred men," reports. expended rare freakish saved times makes unnecessary decide, hundreds "traditionally maritime" nature, tests sort vague boundary avoided wherever possible. 25 power nullity should ., possible, bright line, enable judges keep inside it. If, obscure, raising 'questions penumbra, shadowy marches,' bad consequences ensue traffic artery. Sometimes misled trying lengthy laboriously reaching decisions bind anybody. times, fearful exceeding uncertain their powers cautiously throw disputes really capacity settle, justice badly needs completely denied. Furthermore, enormous amount expensive legal ability issues better spent elucidating cases. short, trial judge ought able tell easily fast belongs there." Z. Chafee, Thomas M. Cooley Lectures, Some Problems Equity 312 (1950) (quoting Hanover Star Milling Metcalf, 240 403, 426, 36 357, 365, 60 713 (1916) (Holmes, concurring)). 26 concur throughout litigation Act, Rev.Stat. 4281 seq., 181 seq. provides independent contend otherwise correct, provide action, Petitioner argues Extension 62 Stat. 496, 740 raised below. SCALIA abandon disrupting He "as waters" give 373 added), matter divorced correct simpler embraced things equal, formulae preferred. Such preference, fact, informs refusal particulars lies. 363. demand tidy go too far, entirely divorces exercise gone far. unanimously agreed purpose existence implicate Compare 679-680, 2660-2661 (Powell, dissenting). point straying far SCALIA's plainly inconsistent unanimous instrumentalities provided services. reveal entities common form (entities nonmaritime facilitating travel); (1982) navigation). Different not. resolution awaits squarely raises them. Circuits variously. After Fifth adopted four-factor deciding factors functions roles parties; vehicles involved; injury; concepts role law." Kelly Smith, 485 520, 525 (1973). Circuits, continued dominate landscape Drake Raymark Industries, Inc., 772 1007, 1015 (CA1 1985); Guidry Durkin, 834 1465, 1471 1987); Lewis Charters, Huckins Yacht Corp., 871 1046, 1051 (CA11 1989). Fourth appears well, although closely unclear. Oman Johns-Manville 764 224, 230, (CA4 1985) (en banc) (stating thorough include consideration [the factors]") Bubla Bradshaw, 795 349, 351 1986) (implicitly treating exclusive). Mollett Penrod Drilling 826 1419, 1426 (CA5 1987) (Mollett ) (applying, Kelly, factors, "(1) event desirability national 'expertise' case"), 872 1221, 1224-1226 1989) II (applying explicit mention extra ). Other different approaches. either standard. 345 Second language additional factors. Keene Corp. States, 836, 844 (1983); 531 1144, 1147-1148 (1976). Finally, Sixth criticized Circuit's indefensibly Insurance," Young, 176, 178-179, (1989), concrete apply, cf. Petersen Chesapeake Ohio R. 784 732, 736 (1986). parties various amici resolve dispute adopting Circuits' (or entirely). (cf. 3, supra ), formula initially refined guidance invitation use refine developed. Like pursued reach question whether, basis, provisions V). describes "demand rules." Ante, 364, think aversion chaos—of represented conflicting painstakingly describes, 4, alleviate. statement guidance," 366, accurate plausible prediction future. Those music lovers who immediately Gerolstein fictitious European principality setting Offenbach's once-popular operetta, La Grande-Duchesse de Gerolstein. Professor Black put it, attempt project 'principle' best left alone. list irregular verbs. Fortunately, tend fall not-too-great number stereotypes, proper placing learned, like verbs, errors grammar avoided." Jurisdiction: Critique Suggestions, 50 Colum.L.Rev. 259, 264 bring designed carry people cargo float. constitutes "vessel," 8, pp. 42-50 (1939). definition necessarily static. modern England America propelled oars simply smallest class beneath dignity admiralty; historic seven hundred years, triremes quadriremes Greek Roman navies largest powerful afloat." W. Parsons, 191 17, 32-33, 12-13, 48 (1903).

Classification Label: 7