sprietsma administrator estate sprietsma deceased mercury marine division brunswick argued october decided december petitioner wife killed boating accident struck propeller outboard motor manufactured respondent mercury marine division brunswick corporation brunswick subsequent tort action illinois state petitioner claimed brunswick motor unreasonably dangerous among things protected propeller guard trial dismissed complaint intermediate affirmed finding action expressly federal boat safety act fbsa act illinois rejected rationale affirmed implied grounds held fbsa state claims petitioner pp fbsa enacted improve boating safety authorize establishment national construction performance standards boats associated equipment encourage greater uniformity boating laws regulations among federal government secretary transportation delegated authority promulgate regulations establishing minimum safety standards recreational vessels associated equipment coast guard must inter alia consult special national boating safety advisory council exercising authority coast guard may issue exemptions regulations boating safety adversely affected section act sets forth express clause saving clause provides compliance act standards regulations orders prescribed act relieve person liability common law state law coast guard issued first regulations secretary exempted state laws regulate matters covered federal regulations coast guard since promulgated host detailed regulations determined inquiry advisory council subcommittee available data support adoption regulation requiring propeller guards advisory council recommended specific propeller guard regulations regulations regarding use recreational boats one case currently pending pp fbsa expressly petitioner tort claims section express clause applies state local law regulation naturally read encompassing claims two reasons first article implies discreteness present common law second word known company keeps gustafson alloyd terms law regulation used together indicate congress positive enactments act saving clause buttresses conclusion assumes significant number liability cases save language permits narrow reading excluding actions see geier american honda motor contrast general reference liability common law specific detailed description including exception state regulations addressing uniquely hazardous conditions indicates drafted performance standards equipment requirements imposed statute regulation interpretation produce anomalous results perfectly rational congress claims necessarily perform important remedial role compensating accident victims pp coast guard decision regulate propeller guards also petitioner claims decision left applicable propeller guard law exactly subcommittee began investigation coast guard decision regulate particular aspect boating safety fully consistent intent preserve state regulatory authority pending adoption specific federal standards coast guard explanation propeller guard decision reveals available data meet fbsa stringent criteria federal regulation coast guard take step deciding matter policy political subdivisions impose version propeller guard regulation reject propeller guards unsafe although undoubtedly intentional carefully considered decision convey authoritative message federal policy propeller guards nothing coast guard recent regulatory activities alters conclusion geier american honda motor distinguished pp fbsa statutory scheme implicitly petitioner claims act require coast guard promulgate comprehensive regulations covering every aspect recreational boat safety design must coast guard certify acceptability every recreational boat subject jurisdiction ray atlantic richfield locke distinguished even fbsa interpreted expressly occupying field safety regulation recreational boats respect state positive laws regulations convey clear manifest intent completely occupy field foreclose state remedies conclusion act express clause cover claims suggests opposite intent unembellished statement house report act establish intent remedies fbsa goal fostering uniformity manufacturing regulations respondent ultimately relies argument important unyielding interest demonstrated coast guard early grants broad exemptions state regulations position litigation pp reversed remanded stevens delivered opinion unanimous rex sprietsma administrator estate jeanne sprietsma deceased petitioner mercury marine division brunswick corporation writ certiorari illinois december justice stevens delivered opinion question presented whether state tort action seeking damages manufacturer outboard motor either enactment federal boat safety act fbsa act act decision coast guard promulgate regulation requiring propeller guards motorboats july petitioner wife jeanne sprietsma died result boating accident inland lake spans border riding ski boat equipped outboard motor manufactured respondent mercury marine division brunswick corporation brunswick apparently boat turned fell overboard struck propeller suffering fatal injuries petitioner filed complaint illinois seeking damages brunswick theories count alleged brunswick manufactured unreasonably dangerous product among things motor protected propeller trial granted respondent motion dismiss intermediate appellate affirmed ground action expressly fbsa app relying intervening decision geier american honda motor illinois rejected appellate express rationale affirmed implied grounds decision added split authority precise issue arising lawsuits among others particular respondent corporate granted certiorari decide whether fbsa state claims defense raises threshold issue occasion consider merits petitioner claims even whether claims viable matter illinois law must however evaluate three distinct theories may support defense act expressly claims coast guard decision regulate propeller guards claims potential conflict diverse state rules federal interest uniform system regulation impliedly claims considering theories review history federal regulation area ii act recent comprehensive several statutes congress enacted improve safe operation recreational boats enactment required three classes motorboats carry certain lights sound signals life preservers fire extinguishers act june stat congress passed law required numbering motorboats feet long act june ch stat reenacted requirements provided system federal inspection authorized penalties reckless operation motorboats act apr ch stat congress enacted additional numbering requirements administered directed compile transmit boating accident statistics secretary treasury federal boating act stat section act expressed policy encouraging uniformity boating laws insofar practicable accident statistics compiled presumably instrumental persuading congress additional federal legislation statement purposes fbsa recites enacted improve boating safety authorize establishment national construction performance standards boats associated equipment encourage greater uniformity boating laws regulations among several federal government pub stat three provisions implementing goals particularly relevant case section fbsa amended codified authorizes secretary transportation issue regulations establishing minimum safety standards recreational vessels associated equipment requiring installation use secretary delegated authority coast guard see cfr exercising authority coast guard must consider certain factors extent proposed regulation contribute boating safety must consult special national boating safety advisory council appointed pursuant act advisory council consists members representatives three different groups state officials responsible state boating safety programs boat equipment manufacturers national recreational boating organizations general public coast guard may also issue exemptions regulations determines boating safety adversely affected section act codified sets forth act clause thus provides basis respondent express argument full unless permitted secretary section title state political subdivision state may establish continue effect enforce law regulation establishing recreational vessel associated equipment performance safety standard imposing requirement associated equipment except insofar state political subdivision may absence secretary disapproval regulate carrying use marine safety articles meet uniquely hazardous conditions circumstances within state identical regulation prescribed section title section sets forth penalties may assessed persons violate act end section congress included following saving clause compliance chapter standards regulations orders prescribed chapter relieve person liability common law state law federal regulation fbsa day president signed fbsa law secretary transportation took action based assumption existing state regulation identical regulation prescribed act even federal regulation promulgated august secretary issued statement exempting state laws act fed reg explained boating safety adversely affected continuing effect existing laws regulations various political subdivisions new federal regulations issued one year later august coast guard issued first regulations act see fed reg regulations included boat performance safety standards requirements hull identification numbers maximum capacity warnings capacity minimum boat flotation include propeller guard requirement federal regulations became effective secretary limited scope original blanket exemption state statutes regulations concerned requirements covered regulations see fed reg existing state laws regulated matters covered federal regulations continued exempted ibid years since coast guard promulgated host detailed regulations prescribe use specified equipment personal flotation devices visual distress signals cfr pts certain procedures compliance labeling manufacturers prompt accident reporting operators pts see generally pts regulations impose precise standards governing design manufacture boats associated equipment electrical fuel systems ventilation protection devices pt cf chao mallard bay drilling congress assigned broad important mission coast guard coast guard possesses authority promulgate enforce regulations promoting safety vessels coast guard consideration propeller guard regulation may coast guard decided number recreational boating accidents persons water struck propellers merited special acting request coast guard national boating safety advisory council appointed special propeller guard subcommittee subcommittee directed review available data prevention accidents study various methods shrouding propellers prevent contact person water app months study subcommittee recommended coast guard take regulatory action require propeller guards recommendation rested upon findings given current technology feasible propeller guards might prevent penetrating injuries increase potential blunt trauma caused collision guard enlarges boat underwater profile feasible models cause power speed loss higher speeds prohibitive ly expensive retrofit existing boats propeller guards simple universal design suitable boats motors existence proved feasible advisory council endorsed subcommittee recommendation coast guard letter council chief coast guard office navigation safety waterway services agreed available accident data support adoption regulation requiring propeller guards motorboats stated coast guard continue review information regarding development testing new propeller guarding devices information state art coast guard invited public comment various proposals reduce number injuries involving propeller strikes april advisory council recommended coast guard develop four specific regulations see fed reg response december coast guard published notice proposed rulemaking addressing one recommendations proposed rule adopted require owner nonplaning houseboat rent equip vessel either propeller guard combination three propeller injury avoidance measures ibid advisory council also recommended coast guard require manufacturers importers new planing vessels feet feet length propellers aft transom select install one several factory installed propeller injury avoidance methods ibid although coast guard indicated recommendation along advisory council recommendations addressed subsequent regulatory projects yet issued regulation either requiring prohibiting propeller guards recreational planing vessels boat involved case iii fbsa contains express clause task statutory construction must first instance focus plain wording clause necessarily contains best evidence congress intent csx easterwood express clause applies state local law regulation think language naturally read encompassing claims two reasons first article law regulation implies discreteness embodied statutes regulations present common law second word known company keeps gustafson alloyd terms law regulation used together clause indicate congress positive enactments law read broadly include common law might also interpreted include regulations render express reference regulation clause superfluous act saving clause buttresses conclusion see geier american honda motor ompliance chapter standards regulations orders prescribed chapter relieve person liability common law state law held geier saving clause assumes significant number liability cases save language provision permits narrow reading excludes actions saving clause also relevant independent reason contrast general reference liability common law specific detailed description including exception state regulations addressing uniquely hazardous conditions indicates drafted performance standards equipment requirements imposed statute regulation interpretation statute language produce anomalous results perfectly rational congress claims unlike administrative legislative regulations necessarily perform important remedial role compensating accident victims cf silkwood indeed compensation manifest object saving clause focuses state authority regulate preserving liability common law state law context phrase surely refers private damages thus agree illinois conclusion petitioner tort claims expressly fbsa iv even fbsa expressly state claims respondent contends claims implicitly entire statute specifically coast guard decision regulate propeller guards viable theories recognized federal statute implicitly overrides state law either scope statute indicates congress intended federal law occupy field exclusively english general elec state law actual conflict federal law found implied conflict impossible private party comply state federal requirements state law stands obstacle accomplishment execution full purposes objectives congress hines davidowitz freightliner myrick moreover congress inclusion express clause bar ordinary working conflict principles geier emphasis original find implied impossible private party comply state federal requirements state law stands obstacle accomplishment execution full purposes objectives congress freightliner internal quotation marks citations omitted persuaded however fbsa effect first consider reject respondent reliance coast guard decision adopt regulation requiring propeller guards motorboats quite wrong view decision functional equivalent regulation prohibiting political subdivisions adopting regulation decision accept subcommittee recommendation take regulatory action app left law applicable propeller guards exactly subcommittee began investigation course state claim directly conflicted federal regulation promulgated act impossible comply regulation without incurring liability state common law occur however case indeed history teaches us coast guard decision regulate particular aspect boating safety fully consistent intent preserve state regulatory authority pending adoption specific federal standards course coast guard followed immediately act passed imposed first regulations coast guard never taken position litigation state claims relating area yet subject federal regulation conflict accomplishment execution full purposes objectives congress hines davidowitz illinois concluded coast guard failure promulgate propeller guard requirement equates ruling regulation appropriate pursuant policy fbsa regard policies defined congress recognized federal decision forgo regulation given area may imply authoritative federal determination area best left unregulated event much force decision regulate arkansas elec cooperative arkansas pub serv see also bethlehem steel new york state labor relations state law failure federal officials affirmatively exercise full authority takes character ruling regulation appropriate approved pursuant policy statute instance however illinois conclusion accurately reflect coast guard entire explanation decision regulatory process structured stringent regarding justification available propeller guard accident data support imposition regulation requiring propeller guards motorboats regulatory action also limited many questions whether universally acceptable propeller guard available technically feasible modes boat operation additionally question retrofitting millions boats certainly major economic consideration app statement reveals judgment available data meet fbsa stringent criteria federal regulation coast guard take step deciding matter policy political subdivisions impose version propeller guard regulation definitely reject propeller guards coast guard apparent focus lack universally acceptable propeller guard modes boat operation nothing official explanation inconsistent tort verdict premised jury finding type propeller guard installed particular kind boat equipped respondent particular type motor thus although coast guard decision require propeller guards undoubtedly intentional carefully considered convey authoritative message federal policy propeller guards nothing coast guard recent regulatory activities alters conclusion coast guard decision impose propeller guard requirement presents sharp contrast decision secretary transportation given effect geier american honda motor solicitor general argued case promulgation federal motor vehicle safety standard fmvss embodied affirmative policy judgment safety best promoted manufacturers installed alternative protection systems fleets rather one particular system every car finding expressly placed weight upon dot interpretation fmvss objectives conclusion set forth government brief tort suit one stan obstacle accomplishment objectives congress delegated dot authority implement statute subject matter technical relevant history background complex extensive agency likely thorough understanding regulation objectives uniquely qualified comprehend likely impact state requirements case us today solicitor general joined counsel coast guard informed us agency view refusal regulate subsequent regulatory actions coast guard effect reasoning geier therefore provides strong support petitioner submission even though refusal regulate propeller guards effect possible statutory scheme whole implicitly claims petitioner enacted exemption carried forward secretary first federal regulations adopted might saved existing state rules effect effective date act far rules relate propeller guards fed even case think clear fbsa completely occupy field safety regulation recreational boats foreclose state remedies ray atlantic richfield considered federal statute directed secretary transportation determine oil tankers sufficiently safe allowed proceed navigable waters inspection certify vessel sufficiently safe protect marine environment held scheme mandatory federal regulation implicitly power state washington exclude puget sound vessels certified secretary acceptable design characteristics unless satisfy different higher design requirements imposed state law explained locke analysis ray governed rules rules issue field reserved federal regulation congress ha left room state regulation matters particular title ii ports waterways safety act pwsa required secretary issue rules regulations may necessary respect design construction operation covered vessels illinois relied ray locke find petitioner claims impliedly fbsa unlike title ii pwsa require coast guard promulgate comprehensive regulations covering every aspect recreational boat safety design must coast guard certify acceptability every recreational boat subject jurisdiction moreover neither title ii pwsa holding either ray locke purported possible claims whereas fbsa expressly preserves claims fbsa might interpreted expressly occupying field respect state positive laws regulations structure framework convey clear manifest intent english general elec internal quotation marks citations omitted go even implicitly state common law relating boat manufacture rather conclusion act express clause cover claims suggests opposite intent see cipollone liggett group scalia concurring judgment part dissenting part clear manifest intent sweep away state common law established unembellished statement house report act preempts field boating standards regulations statement made prior amendment containing saving clause nothing entire report suggests meant occupied field include common law respondent ultimately relies upon one fbsa main goals fostering uniformity manufacturing regulations uniformity undoubtedly important industry statute clause meant assur manufacture domestic trade involve compliance widely varying local requirements yet interest unyielding demonstrated coast guard early grants broad exemptions state regulations position taken litigation absent contrary decision coast guard concern uniformity justify displacement state remedies compensate accident victims families serve act prominent objective emphasized title promoting boating safety judgment illinois reversed case remanded proceedings inconsistent opinion ordered footnotes complaint alleges sprietsmas owners boat residents illinois boat purchased illinois app compare lewis brunswick finding implied fbsa cert granted cert dismissed carstensen brunswick finding express fbsa cert denied ryan brunswick finding express fbsa moore brunswick bowling billiards tex holding federal law state law context cert denied sub vivian industrial plastics moore see also lady neal glaser marine holding claims based manufacturer failure provide propeller guard impliedly fbsa outboard marine successor neal glaser marine declared bankruptcy shortly petition certiorari filed cert denied sub nom lady outboard marine brunswick asserted federal maritime law governs case argument raised waived senate report act observed approximately million americans engaged recreational boating activities every year nearly persons died boating accidents preceding period pp hereinafter report added seems apparent annual loss life sufficiently alarming proportion federal government require products involved built standards safety commensurate risks associated use similar federal legislation exists regard products including aircraft motor vehicles also safety standards requirements certain categories larger commercial vessels existed many years title provides secretary may prescribe regulations establishing minimum safety standards recreational vessels associated equipment establishing procedures tests required measure conformance standards standard meeting need recreational vessel safety stated insofar practicable terms performance requiring installation carrying use associated equipment recreational vessels classes recreational vessels subject chapter prohibiting installation carrying use associated equipment conform safety standards established section prescribing regulations section secretary shall among things consider need extent regulations contribute recreational vessel safety consider relevant available recreational vessel safety standards statistics data including public private research development testing evaluation compel substantial alteration recreational vessel item associated equipment existence construction manufacture begun effective date regulation subject limitation may require compliance performance avoid substantial risk personal injury public secretary considers appropriate relation degree hazard compliance correct consult national boating safety advisory council established section title considerations referred clauses subsection coast guard officially reported injuries per year app lewis brunswick study members johns hopkins university injury prevention center institute injury reduction concluded adjusted underreporting true number propeller injuries fatalities may closer per year discussing alternatives cost council recommended coast guard develop four specific regulations require owners propeller driven vessels feet length longer propellers aft transom display propeller warning labels employ emergency switch installed require manufacturers importers new planing vessels feet feet length propellers aft transom select install one several factory installed propeller injury avoidance methods require manufacturers importers new vessels feet length longer propellers aft transom select install one several factory installed propeller injury avoidance methods require owners rental boats propellers aft transom install either jet propulsion system propeller guard several propeller injury avoidance measures fed fbsa imposes civil money penalties payable well imprisonment willful violations authorize private damages remedies persons injured noncomplying operators boats equipment indeed response propeller guard subcommittee recommendation favor educational awareness campaigns coast guard indicated publish series articles aimed avoiding strike accidents include topic available propeller guards app