Filing a Notice of Claim of Lien for a Commercial Vessel

In order to operate a successful commercial fishing business, it is important to ensure that your vessel and equipment are in good working condition. That means routine maintenance and diligent checks on your vessel at regular intervals. Sometimes, boat owners may find themselves in a position where they need to outsource repairs or cosmetic work to their boats. When the individuals who perform that work provide invoices that go unpaid, they do have legal options for obtaining proper compensation. Most commonly, this is carried out by filing a notice of claim of lien on a commercial vessel.

These liens are often prepared and filed by mechanics, but the unpaid crew can also use them to take action against owners of vessels that are registered with the United States Coast Guard (USCG). It should be known, however, that this form is merely the beginning of what can be a drawn-out legal process, so it is generally wise to consult with a seasoned maritime attorney before submitting a claim of lien. If this path of action seems appropriate for your situation, the Commercial Fishing Permits Center can assist you in preparing your claim of lien online.

What is a Notice of Claim of Lien for a Commercial Vessel?

You may find yourself wondering, just what is a notice of claim of lien? Understandably, it sounds like a complex legal document. In truth, though, you can think of it as sort of an official IOU. A claim of lien advises a vessel owner that they owe compensation for work that was done on their vessel. If the owner of this USCG-registered boat has a marine mortgage, you can also inform the mortgage-holder of the lien, which can motivate the owner to act.

The way in which claims of liens are most effective is how they appear on a vessel’s abstract of the title. Whenever the owner goes to sell their boat–provided the lien has not been lifted–the potential buyer will be able to see the lien, which in most cases will scare them off from finalizing the purchase. Again, this is often a motivator for delinquent payers to settle their debts.

Find This and Other Commercial Fishing Documents Online

If you need to submit a notice of claim of lien, why not work with us at the Commercial Fishing Permits Center? We have a streamlined online form, which you can transmit for processing securely via our SSL-encrypted web portal. Again, you will want to couple this action with the guidance of an experienced attorney.

We also have a host of other helpful USCG document templates, as well as commercial fishing permit applications. We pride ourselves on providing a one-stop service for the many needs of commercial fishermen like yourself. Take a moment to explore the navigation on our website, you will see that we offer an easy-to-navigate menu for all available National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) fishing permits in all regions. If you would like to learn more, contact us by email or phone today.