Athens Sky Compania Naviera S.A. v. The Port Services Corpn. Ltd. (The Tribels) - Q.B.D. (Adm.Ct.) (Sheen J.) - 16 March 1984

Provision of security for salvage services under Lloyd’s form - Whether salvors’ demand excessive

The defendants provided salvage services to the plaintiffs’ vessel Tribels at Muscat under the Lloyd’s Open Form. Tribels had grounded in the harbour in strong winds. Three of the defendants’ harbour tugs had assisted in the refloatation of Tribels . Tribels had remained aground for about 4 hours. The tugs were engaged for about 9 hours. One tug had a bollard pull of 30 tons, the other two had bollard pulls of about 15 tons. They were harbour tugs and did not carry any salvage equipment. They regularly operated in that port. The value of the Tribels and her bunkers and stores was £3,400,000 and the value of her cargo was £12,750,000. About 30 bills of lading were involved.