Washington Court Will Not Hear Alaska Dispute
The Court of Appeals of the State of Washington affirmed the dismissal of a lawsuit on the basis of comity. In the instant case, plaintiff seaman was allegedly injured while working as a crew member on an Alaska state ferry. When the state started handling the injury as a workmen’s compensation issue in accordance with state law, plaintiff filed a declaratory judgment action in Alaska state court. After losing at the trial level, plaintiff appealed in Alaska and brought this separate action in Washington State seeking recovery against the State of Alaska under the federal Jones Act. The Washington appellate court noted that the dispute arose in Alaska, is based on Alaska law, and is being separately litigated in Alaska.
Zoellick and Bonner To Speak at AAPA Conference
U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert B. Zoellick and U.S.Customs Commissioner Robert C. Spring Conference meeting on Tuesday, March 19, at the Washington Court Hotel in Washington, D.C. Ambassador Zoellick will receive AAPA's Port Person of the Year Award and will provide the keynote address at 8:30 a.m. on March 19. Commissioner Bonner will be the featured speaker during the Annual "Washington People's Luncheon" from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. He is expected to address seaport security issues during his remarks. AAPA's Port Person of the Year Award is presented annually to an individual who has made significant contributions to the port industry. opening markets abroad and maintaining an open-market policy within the U.S. maritime transportation.
NSRC Convenes For Ship Repair Conference
Ship repair industry leaders from all three coasts and Hawaii converged in Washington, D.C., last week to kick off the National Ship Repair Coalition’s (NSRC’s) 2002 National Ship Repair Conference at the Washington Court Hotel on Capitol Hill. The annual conference is instrumental to both ensuring Fleet readiness and addressing the challenges that face the domestic industry. “NSRC is a leader in efforts aimed at ensuring the security of the United States while enhancing the safety and quality of life of the servicemen and women who put their lives on the line each day,” said NSRC President Christopher Long. NSRC is a supporter of fully funding critical readiness accounts, such as ship depot maintenance, which have historically been underfunded.
