The Home Savings and Loan Company of Youngstown, Ohio v. Super Boats & Yachts, LLC. et al
Filing
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ORDER granting 6 Motion to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction. Signed by Judge Marcia G. Cooke on 6/15/2011. (tm)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
CASE NO.: 11-60325-CIV-COOKE/TURNOFF
THE HOME SAVINGS & LOAN
COMPANY OF YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO,
Plaintiff
vs.
SUPER BOATS & YACHTS, LLC, et al.,
Defendants.
_____________________________________/
ORDER GRANTING DEFNDANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
THIS MATTER is before me on Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss for Lack of Subject
Matter Jurisdiction pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(1), (ECF No. 6), which I
have converted into a motion for summary judgment. On April 12, 2011, I notified the Parties of
my intention to convert Defendants’ motion to dismiss into a motion for summary judgment and
provided ten days for the Parties to submit any additional evidence in support or in opposition to
the merits. I have reviewed the record, the motions, and the relevant legal authorities. For the
reasons explained below, Defendants’ motion for summary judgment is granted.
I. BACKGROUND
The following facts are undisputed. On or about July 30, 2003, Midway Marine, Inc.,
d/b/a Midway Leasing, Inc, and Michael Mercure executed and delivered a Simple Interest Note,
Disclosure and Security Agreement in the amount of $419,815.00 (the “Note”), in favor of
Plaintiff, The Home Savings & Loan Company of Youngstown, Ohio (“Home Savings”), for the
purchase of the M/V 2004 50’ Hustler Yacht (the “Vessel”). The Note was executed in Ohio.
By its terms, the Note granted Home Savings a lien and security interest in the Vessel. A
Certificate of Title was issued in Mahoning County, Ohio on December 12, 2003. On May 8,
2007, Midway Marine defaulted on the Note. The Note’s default provision allowed Home
Savings to take immediate possession of the Vessel in the event of a default. In or about 2009,
Home Savings initiated a replevin action in Ohio against Midway Marine and Michael Mercure
for the seizure of the Vessel. On May 29, 2009, the Ohio Court of Common Pleas issued an
Order of Possession Without a Hearing against the Vessel.1 During the pendency of the Ohio
proceedings, Defendant Super Boats and Yachts, LLC (“Super Boats”) acquired ownership
interest and possession of the Vessel.2 On February 14, 2011, Home Savings filed a complaint
against the Vessel, in rem, and against Super Boats, in personam. Home Savings seeks a warrant
for the arrest of the Vessel, an order authorizing its sale, a judgment providing immediate
possession and a decree in favor of Home Savings for damages.
I. LEGAL STANDARD
Summary judgment shall be granted, “if the movant shows that there is no genuine
dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed.
R. Civ. P. 56(a). “The moving party bears the initial burden to show the district court, by
reference to materials on file, that there are no genuine issues of material fact that should be
decided at trial.” Clark v. Coats & Clark, Inc., 929 F.2d 604, 608 (11th Cir. 1991). Once the
moving party has met its burden, the burden then shifts “to the nonmoving party to demonstrate
that there is indeed a material issue of fact that precludes summary judgment.” Id.
1
The Ohio Court of Common Pleas issued the Order of Possession Without Hearing based on
Home Savings’ unverified belief that the Vessel was located in Ohio. In a replevin action, the
property’s location determines the existence of jurisdiction. Hutcheson v. Israel, No. CA5724,1982 WL 2913, at *3 (Ohio Ct. App. Feb. 10, 1982) (citing Shaffer v. Heitner, 433 U.S.
186 (1977)). An extensive review of the record, however, does not indicate that the Vessel
located in Ohio at the time the replevin order was entered.
2
A Certificate of Title was issued in Florida on November 19, 2009.
2
Rule 56(c)(1) requires the parties to “establish the absence or presence of a genuine
dispute” by reference to “depositions, documents, … affidavits or declarations, … admissions,
interrogatory answers, or other materials.” See Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242,
248 (1986) (The nonmoving party “may not rest upon mere allegations or denials of his
pleadings, but … must set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial.”).
“The court need consider only the cited materials, but it may consider other materials in the
record.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c)(3). In determining whether summary judgment is proper, a court
must draw inferences from the evidence in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party and
resolve all reasonable doubts in that party’s favor. Centurion Air Cargo, Inc. v. United Parcel
Serv. Co., 420 F.3d 1146, 1149 (11th Cir. 2005).
II. DISCUSSION
Federal district courts have original jurisdiction over “[a]ny civil case of admiralty or
maritime jurisdiction, saving to suitors in all cases all other remedies to which they are otherwise
entitled.” 28 U.S.C. 1333(1). Jurisdiction over “[a]n in rem admiralty proceeding requires as its
basis a maritime lien,” that is, “a special property right in a ship given to a creditor by law as
security for a debt or claim.” Crimson Yachts v. Betty Lyn II Motor Yacht, 603 F.3d 864, 868
(11th Cir. 2010). “Maritime liens have special features designed to protect persons who own,
sail, and service ships from the unique risks associated with the shipping industry.” Id. at 869.
“The very purpose of maritime liens is to encourage necessary services to ships whose owners
are unable to make contemporaneous payment.” Veverica v. Drill Barge Buccaneer No. 7, 488
F.2d 880, 883 (5th Cir. 1974).3 A maritime lien may arise out of a maritime contract “but not
3
The Eleventh Circuit has adopted, as binding precedent, all decisions of the former Fifth Circuit
handed down prior to close of business on September 30, 1981. Bonner v. City of Prichard, 661
F.2d 1206, 1209 (11th Cir. 1981) (en banc).
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every contract that somehow relates to a ship or its business is considered maritime.” Id. at 1314.
Only maritime contracts that provide vessels with necessary services or “necessaries” can give
rise to maritime liens. 46 U.S.C. § 31342(a). “Necessaries” are “repairs, supplies, towage, and
the use of a dry dock or marine railway,” and include “what is reasonably needed in the ship’s
business, such as goods or services that are useful to the vessel, keep her out of danger, and
enable her to perform her particular function.” 46 U.S.C. § 31301(4); Bd. of Comm’rs of Orleans
Levee Dist. v. M/V Belle of Orleans, 535 F.3d 1299, 1314 (11th Cir. 2008) (citing Bradford
Marine, Inc. v. M/V Sea Falcon, 64 F.3d 585, 589 (11th Cir. 1995)). Therefore, “maritime liens
benefit those who own, lend to, and repair vessels, such that persons able to provide for ships’
immediate needs are assured a significant, clear, and predictable security device that is tailored to
the unique features of maritime commerce.” Crimson Yachts, 603 F.3d at 871.
A. Home Savings Does Not Possess A Maritime Lien
Super Boats argues that this Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction because Home
Savings holds neither a valid maritime lien nor a “preferred mortgage” under the Commercial
Instruments and Maritime Liens Act (“CIMLA”), 46 U.S.C. § 31301 et seq. Home Savings
argues that it possesses a lien over the Vessel that is “of a maritime nature.” (Pl.’s Cross Mot.
Summ. J. 5, ECF No. 33). Home Savings also contends that “[b]ased on the Ohio Order, there is
no factual issue” that Home Savings is entitled to the “immediate right of possession in the
[Vessel].” (Pl.’s Cross Mot. Summ. J. 8, ECF No. 33). Plaintiff must posses a maritime lien or a
preferred mortgage in order to invoke this Court’s admiralty jurisdiction.
Home Savings financed the purchase of the Vessel and, therefore, holds an ordinary
mortgage. As the Supreme Court explained long ago, “[a]n ordinary mortgage of a vessel,
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whether made to secure the purchase money upon the sale thereof or to raise money for general
purposes, is not a maritime contract. A court of admiralty, therefore, has no jurisdiction of a
libel to foreclose it, or to assert either title or right of possession under it.” The J.E. Rumbell, 148
U.S. 1, 15 (1893); see also J.G. Jackson v. Inland Oil & Transp. Co., 318 F.2d 802, 804 (5th Cir.
1963). The Complaint does not allege that Home Savings provided necessaries to the Vessel.
Therefore, Home Savings does not hold a maritime lien sufficient to give this Court subject
matter jurisdiction.
B. Home Savings Does Not Possess A “Preferred Mortgage”
A “preferred mortgage” is a mortgage that includes the whole vessel, is filed in
accordance with 46 U.S.C. § 31321, and covers a documented vessel. See 46 U.S.C. § 31322(a).
“[I]f a mortgage is within [CIMLA], admiralty jurisdiction is exclusive; if the mortgage is not
within [CIMLA], admiralty has no jurisdiction.” Richard Bertram & Co. v. Yacht Wanda, 447
F.2d 966, 967 (5th Cir. 1971) (citing The Thomas Barlum, 293 U.S. 21 (1934)).4 Here, Home
Savings does not assert, nor does the record indicate, that it filed the mortgage with the Secretary
of Homeland Security, an express requirement under 46 U.S.C. § 31321. Further, the boat is not
a documented vessel or one for which an application of documentation has been submitted. 46
U.S.C. § 12105. In the absence of a preferred mortgage, this Court lacks admiralty jurisdiction
over Home Saving’s claim.
III. CONCLUSION
In the absence of a maritime lien and a preferred mortgage this Court lacks subject matter
jurisdiction. As such, order is unenforceable. Accordingly, this case is DISMISSED without
4
The Commercial Instruments and Maritime Liens Act, 46 U.S.C. § 31301 et seq. was
previously titled “The Ship Mortgage Act,” 46 U.S.C. §§ 911-984.
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prejudice. The Clerk is directed to CLOSE this case. All pending motions are DENIED as
moot.
DONE and ORDERED in chambers at Miami, Florida this 15th day of June 2011.
Copies furnished to:
William C. Turnoff, U.S. Magistrate Judge
Counsel of Record
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