seamen

Sailors; mariners; persons whose business is navigating ships, or who are connected with the ship as such and in some capacity assist in its conduct, maintenance or service. Commonly exclusive of the officers of a ship. The Lillian, D.C.Me., 16 F.2d 146, 148.

One whose occupation is to navigate vessels upon the sea including all those on board whose labor contributes to the accomplishment of the main object in which the vessel is engaged. Osland v. Star Fish & Oyster Co., C.C.A.Ala., 107 F.2d 113, 114.

Term includes anyone who, in course of his work about a ship, exposes himself to risks traditionally associated with maritime duties of a member of ship's crew. Garrett v. Gutzeit, C.A.Va., 491 F.2d 228, 233.

Worker is "seaman" within meaning of Jones Act if he is assigned permanently to vessel in navigation or performs substantial part of his work on vessel, contributing to function of vessel or to accomplishment of its mission. Garret v. Dean Shank Drilling Co., Inc., C.A. La., 799 F.2d 1007, 1009.

To determine whether injured workman is a seaman with Jones Act rights, vessel he is on must be in navigation, there must be a more or less permanent connection with vessel, and he must be aboard primarily to aid in navigation. Sandoval v. Mitsui Sempaku K. K. Tokyo, D.C.Canal Zone, 313 F.Supp. 719, 725.

See also Longshoreman