Which statement about a maritime lien is true?

Which statement about a maritime lien is true?

• A. It attaches to the owner's personal assets regardless of vessel ownership.
• B. It attaches only to the cargo and dissolves with ownership change.
• C. It is a privileged claim against the vessel that attaches as soon as the lien arises and remains with the vessel regardless of ownership.
• D. It is created only by court order.

Answer: (C)

A maritime lien is a privileged claim that attaches directly to the vessel, not to the owner personally. It arises from certain obligations—like seamen’s wages, salvage, necessaries, or repairs—and attaches as soon as the underlying claim arises. The crucial point is that this lien travels with the vessel, so if the boat is sold or ownership changes, the lien remains attached to the vessel and can be enforced against it to satisfy the claim. This reflects the idea that the vessel itself is the security for these kinds of maritime obligations, rather than the owner’s personal assets. Thus, the statement is true because it captures that the lien is a privileged claim against the vessel that attaches when the lien arises and remains with the vessel despite changes in ownership. In contrast, a lien that attaches to the owner’s personal assets, or one that dissolves upon ownership transfer, would not accurately describe a maritime lien. And since some maritime liens arise by statute or contract without a court order, the notion that a lien is created only by court order is also incorrect.

A maritime lien is a privileged claim that attaches directly to the vessel, not to the owner personally. It arises from certain obligations—like seamen’s wages, salvage, necessaries, or repairs—and attaches as soon as the underlying claim arises. The crucial point is that this lien travels with the vessel, so if the boat is sold or ownership changes, the lien remains attached to the vessel and can be enforced against it to satisfy the claim. This reflects the idea that the vessel itself is the security for these kinds of maritime obligations, rather than the owner’s personal assets.

Thus, the statement is true because it captures that the lien is a privileged claim against the vessel that attaches when the lien arises and remains with the vessel despite changes in ownership. In contrast, a lien that attaches to the owner’s personal assets, or one that dissolves upon ownership transfer, would not accurately describe a maritime lien. And since some maritime liens arise by statute or contract without a court order, the notion that a lien is created only by court order is also incorrect.