In 1995, the Supreme Court decided Chandris, Inc. v. Latsis, 515 U.S. 347 (1995), wherein it announced a test for determining “seaman” status.  To qualify as a “seaman” the employee must (1) contribute to the function of a vessel or to the accomplishment of its mission, and (2) have a connection to a vessel in navigation that is substantial in both duration and nature.  The Supreme Court favorably cited a rule of thumb from the Fifth Circuit whereby an employee would be denied “seaman” status if they spent less than 30% of their time in the service of a vessel in navigation. Last year, the Court of Appeals of Maryland decided Dize v. Association of Maryland Pilots, which addressed the “seaman” status of an employee who maintained vessels that are dockside or ashore.  The court determined that such work does not factor into the 30% rule because maintaining a mooredRead more