Freedom Boat Club, LLC

Filing 5

ORDER granting #3 Motion for Entry of an Order Approving Letter of Undertaking, and Directing Issuance of Notice and Injunction. See Order for details. Signed by Magistrate Judge Nicholas P. Mizell on 2/18/2021. (brh)

Case 2:21-cv-00095-SPC-NPM Document 5 Filed 02/18/21 Page 1 of 3 PageID 39

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
FORT MYERS DIVISION
IN ADMIRALTY
FREEDOM BOAT CLUB, LLC,
as owner, for exoneration from or limitation
of liability, of a 2019 Scout 210 Dorado
Vessel, Hull ID No. SLPGS494E819
Petitioner,
v.

Case No. 2:21-cv-95-SPC-NPM

ORDER APPROVING PETITIONER’S LETTER OF UNDERTAKING
AND DIRECTING ISSUANCE OF NOTICE AND INJUNCTION
THIS CAUSE came before the Court upon Petitioner’s Complaint and
Petitioner’s Motion to Approve Letter of Undertaking and Enter Monition and
Injunction. Petitioner filed its Complaint for Exoneration from or Limitation of
Liability regarding a 2019 Scout 210 Dorado Vessel, bearing Hull Identification No.
SLPGS494E819, pursuant to 46 U.S.C. § 30505, et seq. and Supplemental Rule F,
for injuries to a passenger allegedly caused by or resulting from an incident occurring
on or about August 7, 2020, on the navigable waters of the United States near Bonita
Springs, Florida.
The Complaint states the value of Petitioner's interest in the Vessel does not
exceed $34,960.00 and there was no pending freight. Petitioner has deposited with
the Court a Letter of Undertaking by Federal Insurance Company, as surety, as
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security for the benefit of claimants in the amount of $34,960.00, with interest at 6
percent per annum from August 7, 2020, and costs, as required by the rules of this
Court and by the law.
Accordingly, it is ORDERED:
1.

Petitioner’s Motion to Approve Letter of Undertaking and Enter

Monition and Injunction (Doc. 3) is GRANTED.
2.

The Letter of Undertaking deposited by Petitioner with the Court for

the benefit of claimants, in the sum of $34,960.00, with interest and costs, as security
for the amount or value of Petitioner's interest in the Vessel is hereby approved.
3.

This Court, upon motion, shall cause due appraisement of such value

and may thereupon order the said security increased or reduced to carry out the
provisions of 46 U.S.C. § 30501 et seq. for personal injuries, property damage, or
any other claims resulting from the incident that occurred on August 7, 2020,
referred to in the Petition.
4.

A notice shall be issued by the Clerk of the Court to all persons asserting

claims with respect to which the Complaint seeks exoneration or limitation,
admonishing them to file their respective claims with the Clerk of the Court in
writing, and to serve on the attorneys for the Petitioners a copy thereof on or before
April 15, 2021 (not less than 30 days after notice), or be defaulted, and if any
claimant desires to contest either the Petitioner’s right to exoneration from or the
right to limitation of liability, any such claimant(s) shall file and serve on
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Petitioner’s attorney an answer to the Complaint, on or before said date, unless
his claim has included an answer to the Complaint, so designated, or be defaulted.
5.

Publication of the aforesaid notice in the form required by

Supplemental Rule F(4) be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the
Lee County area once a week for four (4) successive weeks prior to the date fixed
for the filing of claims, and copies of the notice shall also be mailed in accordance
with Supplemental Rule F.
6.

The commencement or further prosecution of any and all actions or

proceedings against Petitioner, the Vessel, or other property of Petitioner with
respect to any claims for which Petitioner seeks exoneration from or limitation of
liability herein, including any claim arising out of, or incident to, or connected with
any loss, damage, injury, death or destruction, more fully described in the Petition,
be and they are hereby restrained, stayed and enjoined until the hearing and
determination of this action.
7.

Service of this Order as a restraining order may be made through the

Post Office by mailing a conformed copy thereof to the person or persons to be
restrained, or to their respective attorneys, or alternatively, by hand delivery.
DONE AND ORDERED in Fort Myers, Florida on February 18, 2021.

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