Court Opinion

ID: 9465389
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-05 00:44:58.104986+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:39:09.297853
License: Public Domain

BAUER, Circuit Judge,
concurring.
I too believe that Judge Castle has correctly decided the matter before us as a matter of law and I concur in his opinion. While I also agree that the responsibilities of this court go no further than such a legal analysis — without contested facts — I am also joining in Judge Wood’s concurring remarks. It seems to me that the Coast Guard, having been given such a fantastic amount of leeway by the Congressional action involved, should pay closer attention to the purposes for which the legislation was passed — environmental protection. To punish a business engaged in enterprises essential to our national well-being for an unfortunate accident when the business is faultless, seems to be a self-defeating exercise of power. “Strict liability” concepts normally refer to compensation, not punishment without fault.