The Baltico - Q.B.D. (Adm.Ct.) (Sheen J.) - 29 November 1992

Who pays port authority’s charges where vessel ordered to be appraised and sold?

On 17 August 1982 the plaintiffs, Harrisons (Clyde) Ltd., issued a writ in rem against the vessel Baltico claiming the sum of £113,069 from her owners in respect of disbursements made on their behalf. The vessel was arrested at Hartlepool docks. On 17 September 1982 the vessel was ordered to be appraised and sold pendente lite by the Admiralty Marshal. The interveners, the Tees and Hartlepool Port Authority (THPA) wrote to the Admiralty Marshal on 22 September 1982 stating that they were owed £9,551.31 by the owners of Baltico . The THPA warned the Admiralty Marshal that any prospective purchaser of the vessel should be told that THPA would not provide any further services until all outstanding charges had been met and security had been provided for any additional services which might be requested.