BULK OIL STEAMSHIP COMPANY, LTD. v. CARDIFF CHANNEL DRY DOCKS & PONTOON COMPANY, LTD. [THE "PASS OF BALLATER."]

(1942) 72 Ll.L.Rep. 187

ADMIRALTY DIVISION.

Before Mr. Justice Langton.

Negligence - Ship-repairers - Dangerous operations - Delegation of duty - Plaintiffs' tanker undergoing repairs at defendants' yard - Use of oxy-acetylene apparatus by defendants- Fire and explosion involving after cofferdam- Dispute as to location of explosion- Daily inspection by C., as competent analyst, to ensure that vessel was gas-free- Certificates of test issued by C. certifying that poop space was gas-free - After cofferdam not mentioned - Whether included in expression "poop space"- Position of C. considered- Whether C. employed (a) as servant or agent of defendants; (b) as sub-contractor employed by defendants; (c) as servant or agent of plaintiffs - Repair work inherently dangerous- Duty of repairers to exercise high standard of care- Whether delegable to sub-contractor - Shipbuilding Regulations, 1931.