Arrest a Boat?

[ASD]

Boat left at Massachusetts yard arrested in debt case | Trade Only Today

[CaptTom]

I don't know about MA, but our marina in ME recently had the owner of a boat at one of our rented slips disappear without paying. The process of taking possession of the boat and selling it was actually pretty straightforward. Follow the process, proper notice, public auction, and it's gone, with the proceeds partially offsetting the bills the boat had racked up. Nobody had to be sued, and nobody (or no thing) had to be arrested.

I'm sure the marina COULD sue the owner for the difference still owed. I doubt it would be worth the legal costs. Never mind trying to collect even if you did win.

[denverd0n]

“In admiralty law you can sue individuals and you can also sue the boat itself because boats, like people, are responsible for their debts,” said Gloucester lawyer Stephen Ouellette, who is representing the railways in the matter. “Boats can also be arrested.”

Learn something new every day.