[2012] 2 F.C.R. D-8
Maritime Law
Torts
Appeal from Federal Court (F.C.) order (2011 FC 73) limiting maximum liability of respondents (Buhlman) to one million dollars for claims arising out of injuries sustained by appellants (Buckley) in boating accident pursuant to Marine Liability Act, S.C. 2001, c. 6 (MLA), s. 28—Respondents, commercial operators of fishing resort, motorboats—Respondents’ motorboat striking appellants’ motorboat—F.C. determining that appellants’ claims constituting maritime claims pursuant to MLA, s. 24, Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims, 1976—Finding that appellants not passengers under contract of passenger carriage pursuant to Convention, Art. 7(2)(a); three million dollars liability under MLA, s. 29(2) not applying because appellants not on striking ship—Appellants arguing, inter alia, that being on board striking vessel not pre-requisite for application of s. 29(2)—Alleging rather that injured person needing only to show presence on a ship—Whether F.C. erring when applying MLA, s. 28 to appellants’ claims—S. 29(2) not applying herein because appellants not on board striking ship—Combined reading of Convention, Art. 7, MLA, s. 29 favouring interpretation that s. 29(2) referring to persons on the ship seeking to limit liability—F.C. committing no error of law or principle—Appeal dismissed.
Buhlman v. Buckley (A-82-11, 2012 FCA 9, Trudel J.A., judgment dated January 11, 2012, 18 pp.)