Theodore O. Bates, Cross-Appellee v. Prudential-Grace Lines, Inc., Cross-Appellant

OPINION

Bates was employed as a deck department seaman on the SS SANTA REGINA, a merchant vessel owned and operated by Prudential-Grace Lines, Inc. While the vessel was moored at a port in Chile, Bates took shore leave, and, as he was walking along the pier at which the vessel was docked, he stepped into a hole in the pier and suffered injuries. The hole was located about 580 feet from the vessel’s gangway. Bates instituted suit against his employer under the provisions of the Jones Act, 46 U.S.C. § 688. In a jury trial, the jury resolved the issue of liability in favor of Bates and fixed his…