The "Argun" (No 2) - Supreme Ct of South Africa (Marais, Farlam, Navsa, Cloete JJA and Jones AJA) - 19 September 2003

Admiralty jurisdiction - Crew members arresting vessel and bringing actions in rem for unpaid wages - Actions in rem lapsed when arresting parties failed to comply with court order to pay sheriff's expenses and remuneration - Whether Court had continuing jurisdiction in relation to crews' claims - Whether Court erred in ordering vessel to pay interest and sheriff's expenses and remuneration

On 14 July 1999 the master and crew serving on board the vessel Argun in May 1999 (the first respondents) arrested the Argun in case no AC127/99 in respect of unpaid wages. On 23 July 1999 the master and crew of the Argun who had served on the vessel in 1995-1996 (the second respondents) arrested the Argun in case no AC 134/99 in respect of unpaid wages.