The Prince George - Fed.Ct. (Trial Div.) (Muldoon J.) - 7 December 1984

Whether seamen’s statutory severance pay secured by maritime lien

The vessel Prince George had been sold for $1,000,000 which sum was paid into court. The claimants were 13 crew members. Substantial wage claims had already been paid out of the sum in court in respect of wages. The claimants sought to be paid statutory severance pay in lieu of notice. They submitted that they had a maritime lien for such severance pay and that accordingly their claim had priority over the intervenor’s mortgage.