Maree v The Registrar of the High Court Durban and Coast Local Division and Ors (The “Delta Peace”) - High Court (Durban and Coast Local Division)(Combrink J) - 10 April 2001

Admiralty practice - Amount of “Reasonable remuneration” to which Sheriff entitled for work performed in preserving arrested vessel

The issue concerned the “reasonable remuneration” to which the Sheriff was entitled under Rule 21(3)(a) of the Admiralty Proceedings Rules for the work performed by him in his custodial capacity in respect of the preservation of the vessel Delta Peace. The work was performed on the Sheriff’s behalf by his deputy, and his office manager, and consisted of various visits to the vessel and a substantial number of letters, telefaxes and telephone calls of varying duration in connection with the berthing of the vessel in port, the supplying of fuel and water to the vessel, the supply of provisions and medical services to the crew, and the latter’s eventual repatriation. The claim was computed by totalling the time spent on each item of work and applying to it a rate of R500 per hour, resulting in a total of R35 625,00 - representing 71 hours and 15 minutes of work. In addition, the Sheriff levied fees of R2 000,00 for the preparation of the claim and supporting schedule.