Crimson Yachts v. Betty Lyn II Motor Yacht, No. 09-11288
Crimson Yachts v. Betty Lyn II Motor Yacht, No. 09-11288, concerned an action seeking to enforce a maritime lien for major repairs plaintiff performed on a motor yacht. The court of appeals reversed the dismissal of plaintiff's in rem claims against the yacht, on the ground that the yacht constituted a vessel and, therefore, was subject to maritime liens and the court's admiralty jurisdiction.
As the court wrote: "Appellant, shipyard Crimson Yachts, seeks to enforce a maritime lien for major repairs it performed on a motor yacht, Appellee the Betty Lyn II. Crimson Yachts claims the yacht's owner, Appellee Blyn II Holding, LLC (Blyn), failed to make full payment for the repairs. Crimson Yachts sued the Betty Lyn II in rem, and sued BLyn in personam, to recover the remainder of the debt. Pursuant to Appellees' joint motion, the district court dismissed the in rem claims against the Betty Lyn II and vacated its arrest. The district court found the Betty Lyn II was not a "vessel" subject to maritime liens. Because the maritime lien was a prerequisite to the court's admiralty jurisdiction, the court concluded it lacked jurisdiction over the in rem proceeding against the Betty Lyn II. The issue we resolve on appeal is whether the Betty Lyn II is a vessel and, therefore, subject to maritime liens and the court's admiralty jurisdiction. We conclude that she is and reverse and remand for further proceedings."
Related Resources