United States Ninth Circuit

In a question of first impression in the Ninth Circuit, admiralty statute, 46 U.S.C. Section 10601, requires the signature of the master of the vessel on employment contracts with seamen, and such contracts are invalid without the master's signature.

Appellate Information

• Argued 12/05/2001
• Decided 01/29/2002
• Published 01/29/2002

Judges

• Before: O'SCANNLAIN, GRABER, and McKEOWN, Circuit Judges.

Court

• United States Ninth Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellees:
  
• Anthony J. Gaspich (argued), Gaspich & Williams, P.L.L.C., Seattle, WA, for defendant-appellant United States Seafoods, L.P., George H. Luhrs, (argued), Seattle, WA, for plaintiffs-appellees Joe Harper and the class of similarly situated persons, et al., Jay H. Zulauf (argued), and Christopher S. McNulty, Mundt MacGregor, L.L.P., Seattle, WA, for defendant-intervenor F/T Seafreeze Alaska, and amicus curiae At-sea Processors Association.