Court Opinion

ID: 9794627
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 03:08:45.378196+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:18:39.555206
License: Public Domain

*896BEACH, J.,* Dissenting.
I folly concur in the dissent. The exculpatory provision is valid under California and federal law.
Nonetheless, I add to my concurrence in the dissent to respectfully suggest that federal law whether described as “maritime” or “admiralty” is inapplicable to this case.
Although boat repairs relate to maritime activity, federal law is not always exclusively applicable to such activity. Nothing in the case before us demonstrates that application of California contract law conflicts with or is hostile to any congressional act. Nor is there thus any interference with any paramount or important national interest or purpose. In such circumstances application of state law is proper and preferable. (Askew v. American Waterways Operators, Inc. (1973) 411 U.S. 325 [36 L.Ed.2d 280, 93 S.Ct. 1590]; Kossick v. United Fruit Co. (1961) 365 U.S. 731, 738-739 [6 L.Ed.2d 56, 62-63, 81 S.Ct. 886]; Huron Cement Co. v. Detroit (1960) 362 U.S. 440 [4 L.Ed.2d 852, 80 S.Ct. 813, 78 A.L.R.2d 1294]; Romero v. International Term. Co. (1959) 358 U.S. 354 [3 L.Ed.2d 368, 79 S.Ct. 468]; Wilburn Boat Co. v. Fireman’s Ins. Co. (1955) 348 U.S. 310 [99 L.Ed. 337, 75 S.Ct. 368]; Skiriotes v. Florida (1941) 313 U.S. 69 [85 L.Ed. 1193, 61 S.Ct. 924]; Just v. Chambers (1941) 312 U.S. 383 [85 L.Ed. 903, 61 S.Ct. 687]; Western Fuel Co. v. Garcia (1921) 257 U.S. 233 [66 L.Ed. 210, 42 S.Ct. 83]; The J. E. Rumbell (1893) 148 U.S. 1, 12-13 [37 L.Ed. 345, 347, 13 S.Ct. 498]; Sherlock v. Alling (1876) 93 U.S. 99 [23 L.Ed. 819]; The Lottawanna (1875) 88 U.S. (21 Wall.) 558, 580 [22 L.Ed. 654]; Amer. Steamboat Co. v. Chace (1873) 83 U.S. (16 Wall.) 522 [21 L.Ed. 369]; The City of Norwalk (1893) 55 Fed. 98.)
Respondent’s petition for a rehearing was denied July 14, 1983. Richardson, J., and Kaus, J., were of the opinion that the petition should be granted.

 Assigned by the Chairperson of the Judicial Council.