October Term 2001 · Docket 00-927
Does the Coast Guard regulate safety on uninspected barges?
Employers and regulators dispute who controls safety rules on uninspected barges.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Mr. Roberts stated the barge lacked Coast Guard inspection.
Mr. Roberts noted the Coast Guard has few safety rules for this barge.
Mr. Veters asserted the Coast Guard has absolute authority over uninspected vessels.
Mr. Veters claimed no difference exists between inspected and uninspected vessels.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 19-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 5-9 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 5-9
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case involves a fatal explosion on a Louisiana drilling barge. The barge lacked Coast Guard inspection. The parties disagree on which agency sets safety rules.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 19-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-43
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 31, 2001.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
What each side wants
the side that brought the case wants the Coast Guard to enforce safety rules on the barge.
the opposing side wants the Coast Guard to have no regulatory power over the barge.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 19-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-43
What each side says
the side that brought the case argues the Coast Guard must regulate uninspected vessels.
the opposing side argues the Coast Guard has absolute authority over uninspected vessels.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 19-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-43
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Rehnquist asked if the case was submitted.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 5-9 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 5-9
Why it matters
This dispute determines who controls workplace safety on uninspected barges. Workers rely on clear regulatory authority for protection. Employers need predictable compliance standards for operations.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 19-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-43
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 5-15 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 5-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 46, lines 5-9 — Transcript, file page 46, lines 5-9
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 19-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 17, lines 19-47 — Transcript, file page 17, lines 19-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 17-43 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 17-43
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.