Founding Partner Stanley Gibson Joins Other Maritime Law Professors in Amicus Brief

Stan Gibson joined other Maritime Law Professors in an Amicus Brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Lozman v. City of Riviera Beach, docket No. 11-626. The issue presented is whether or not the definition of a vessel under U.S. Maritime Law should be based on an objective standard as set forth in  1 U.S.C. § 3 or if the definition should instead include consideration of the owner’s subjective intent. The vessel in question is a floating houseboat moored at a marina in navigable waters that the owner had towed there intending to use it solely as a “fixed” residence.  Stan and his colleagues argue for continued application of the objective standard as set forth by the Supreme Court in Stewart v. Dutra Construction, 543 U.S. 481 (2005). The Supreme Court is likely to hear oral arguments in the case during the first week of October, 2012.