论突破海洋油污赔偿限额的条件

On Gross Negligence Standard in Compensation of Ocean Oil Pollution

美国《1990年石油污染法》对船源油污和离岸钻井平台导致的油污确立了统一的突破损害赔偿限额的条件。美国的"重大过失"标准与国际公约的"明知可能造成损害而轻率的作为或不作为"标准具有内在一致性,即行为人在明知可能造成损害但依然轻率的行为,则丧失赔偿限额的权利。重大过失是责任人对其注意义务的严重违反,比一般过失更具有可责性。法院可以首先判断责任人是否具有一般过失,再通过"明知"、"故意"及"轻率"等因素来判断责任人的行为是否构成重大过失。

Oil Pollution Act 1990 sets up the unified standard on compensation limitation for oil pollution caused by ship and by off-shore rig platform.There is a consistence between the US standard of 'gross negligence' and the standard 'with knowledge and reckless' under International Convention.Thus,gross negligence is taken as the serious breach of duty of care,which is more culpable than ordinary negligence.The court can decide whether the operator has ordinary negligence,and then decide whether the operator has committed gross negligence,which is based on the factors of intent,knowledge and recklessness.