Barnet Marine Inc. v. Laurel D Shipping LLC

Filing 57

OPINION & ORDER re: 36 MOTION for Judgment on the Pleadings Motion for Partial Judgment on the Pleadings. filed by Laurel D Shipping LLC, 33 MOTION to Vacate 11 Order Issuing Maritime Attachment and Garnishment, Marit ime Attachment and Garnishment Issued . filed by Laurel D Shipping LLC. For the foregoing reasons, Laurel's motion to vacate the attachment is DENIED and its motion for partial judgment on the pleadings is GRANTED. By no later tha n Friday, August 5, 2022, Barnet Marine must submit a proposed amended attachment order, vacating the Court's order at docket entry 11 and replacing it with an order directing the Clerk of Court to issue Process of Maritime Attachment and Gar nishment up to the amount of $97,500. Discovery in this matter is currently stayed. See Order, Dkt. 48. By no later than Friday, August 5, 2022, the parties must submit a joint letter on the following topics: (1) a statement describing the sta tus of any settlement discussions and whether the parties would like a referral for a settlement conference with the assigned Magistrate Judge or to the Court-annexed mediation department; (2) if the parties are interested in settlement discussion s, whether the parties would like the Court to lift or to maintain the discovery stay; (3) if the parties would like the discovery stay lifted, a brief description of the status of discovery and of any additional discovery that needs to be compl eted as well as proposed deadlines for the conclusion of fact and expert discovery. The Clerk of Court is respectfully directed to terminate the open motions at docket entries 33 and 36. (Signed by Judge Valerie E. Caproni on 7/29/2022) (ate)

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U NI T E D S T A T E S DI S T RI C T C O U R T S O U T H E R N DI S T RI C T O F N E W Y O R K ------------------------------------------------------------------- X : B A R N E T M A RI N E I N C., : Pl ai ntiff, : : -a g ai ns t: : : L A U R E L D S HI P PI N G L L C n o w k n o w n as L A U R E L : S HI P PI N G L L C , : D ef e n d a nt. : : ------------------------------------------------------------------- X UUSDC S D C SSDNY D N Y DDOCUMENT OC U ME NT EELECTRONICALLY L E C T R O NI C A L L Y FI LE D FILED DDOC O C #:#: DDATE A T E FIFILED: L E D: 0 7/ 2 9/ 2 0 2 2 2 1- C V - 5 0 7 1 ( VE C) O PI NI O N & O R D E R V A L E RI E C A P R O NI , U nit e d St at es Distri ct J u d g e: D ef e n d a nt L a ur el S hi p pi n g L L C ( “ L a ur el ”) m o v es (i ) p urs u a nt t o S u p pl e m e nt al R ul e E f or A d mir alt y or M ariti m e Cl ai ms a n d Ass et F orf eit ur e A cti o ns of t h e F e d er al R ul es of Ci vil Pr o c e d ur e t o v a c at e a R ul e B or d er of att a c h m e nt o n its pr o p ert y i n t his distri ct 1 a n d (ii) p urs u a nt t o R ul e 1 2( c) of t h e F e d er al R ul es of Ci vil Pr o c e d ur e f or p arti al j u d g m e nt o n t h e pl e a di n gs. F or t h e r e as o ns s et f ort h b el o w, L a ur el ’s m oti o n t o v a c at e is D E NI E D, a n d its m oti o n f or p arti al j u d g m e nt o n t h e pl e a di n gs is G R A N T E D. B A C K G R O U N D 2 Pl ai ntiff B ar n et M ari n e I n c. ( “ B ar n et M ari n e ”) is a f or ei g n c or p or ati o n or g a ni z e d u n d er t h e l a ws of t h e M ars h all Isl a n ds t h at o w ns t h e c o m m er ci al m ot or t a n k er v ess el C E-NI RII S (t h e “ V ess el ”) . A m e n d. C o m pl., D kt. 9 ¶ ¶ 1 – 2. D ef e n d a nt L a ur el is a li mit e d li a bilit y c o m p a n y L a ur el ’s m oti o n s e e ks r eli ef fr o m t h e C o urt’s J u n e 1 0, 2 0 2 1 Or d er iss ui n g m ariti m e att a c h m e nt p urs u a nt t o R ul e B of t h e S u p pl e m e nt al R ul es f or A d mir alt y or M ariti m e Cl ai ms a n d Ass et F orf eit ur e A cti o ns of t h e F e d er al R ul es of Ci vil Pr o c e d ur e. S e e Or d er, D kt. 1 1. 1 2 F or t h e p ur p os e of t h e t w o m oti o ns, t h e C o urt a c c e pts B ar n et M ari n e’s f a ct u al all e g ati o ns i n its a m e n d e d c o m pl ai nt as tr u e. or g a ni z e d u n d er t h e l a ws of t h e St at e of D el a w ar e t h at c h art ers s u c h v ess els. I d. ¶ 3. B y a c h art er p art y d at e d J ul y 2 0 2 0, L a ur el c h art er e d t h e V ess el fr o m B ar n et M ari n e f or a v o y a g e t h at i n cl u d e d dis c h ar gi n g c ar g o i n H o n g K o n g. I d. ¶ 7. Wit h r es p e ct t o d e m urr a g e, th e c h art er p art y pr o vi d es f or 9 6 h o urs of l a yti m e 3 a n d d e m urr a g e 4 at t h e r at e of $ 1 5, 0 0 0 p er d a y. C h art er P art y, D kt. 9- 1 at 7 – 8. T h e c h art er p art y st at es, i n p art, t h at “if t h e v ess el is o n d e m urr a g e, d e m urr a g e s h all c o m m e n c e, at e a c h l o a di n g a n d e a c h dis c h ar g e p ort, u p o n t h e e x pir y of si x ( 6) h o urs aft er a v ali d [ N oti c e of R e a di n ess ( “ N O R ”)] h as b e c o m e eff e cti v e . . . or w h e n t h e V ess el c o m m e n c es l o a di n g, or dis c h ar gi n g, w hi c h e v er first o c c urs. ” I d. at 1 2. T h e c h art er p art y f urt h er pr o vi d es t h at t h e “ N O R s h all n ot b e eff e cti v e u ntil . . . [f]r e e pr ati q u e[ 5 ] h as b e e n gr a nt e d or is gr a nt e d wit hi n ( 6) h o urs of t h e M ast er t e n d eri n g N O R . . . . ” I d. at 1 1. 6 T h e c h art er p art y als o est a blis h es a ti m e fr a m e wit hi n w hi c h d e m urr a g e cl ai ms m ust b e s u b mitt e d; i n r el e v a nt p art, t h e c h art er p art y pr o vi d es: “ C h art er ers s h all b e dis c h ar g e d a n d r el e as e d fr o m all li a bilit y i n r es p e ct of a n y cl ai m f or d e m urr a g e . . . w hi c h O w n ers m a y h a v e u n d er t his C h art er u nl ess a cl ai m i n writi n g h as b e e n pr es e nt e d t o 3 L a yti m e is t h e p eri o d pr o vi d e d t o t h e c h art er er t o p erf or m c ar g o o p er ati o ns wit h o ut c h ar g e. It c o m m e n c es f oll o wi n g t h e vess el’s t e n d er of a v ali d N oti c e of R e a di n ess ( “ N O R ”) a n d arri v al of t h e v ess el as d efi n e d i n t h e c h art er p art y. A m e n d. C o m pl., D kt. 9 ¶ 8 n. 1. D e m urr a g e is t h e a m o u nt d u e t o t h e v ess el o w n er fr o m t h e c h art er er f or us e of t h e v ess el b e y o n d all o w e d l a yti m e as a gr e e d i n t h e c h art er p art y. I d. ¶ 9 n. 2. 4 Fr e e pr ati q u e is a “ c ertifi c at e fr o m t h e p ort -h e alt h -a ut h oriti es t h at t h e s hi p is wit h o ut i nf e cti o us dis e as e or pl a g u e o n b o ar d a n d t h er ef or e p er mitt e d t o e nt er p ort a n d t o all o w p e o pl e t o b o ar d a n d dis e m b ar k. ” I d. ¶ 1 6 n. 3. 5 6 T h e c h art er p art y c o nt ai ns a “ C or o n a vir us Cl a us e, ” w hi c h st at es i n p art t h at “[i ]f t h e v ess el is d el a y e d . . . d u e t o m e as ur es e n a ct e d b y t h e p ort a n d/ or a n y ot h er a ut h orit y r el at e d t o t h e c or o n a vir us o ut br e a k, i n cl u di n g v ess el q u ar a nti n e . . . t h e l a yti m e us e d or, if t h e v ess el is o n d e m urr a g e, ti m e o n d e m urr a g e e q u al t o t h e p eri o d or p eri o ds of c or o n a vir us d el a y as j ust d es cri b e d s h all c o u nt as f ull l a yti m e or ti m e o n d e m urr a g e if t h e v ess el is alr e a d y o n d e m urr a g e. ” C h art er P art y, D kt. 9 - 1 at 4 5. T h e cl a us e c o nti n u es t h at “[t]i m e s h all als o c o u nt as us e d l a yti m e or ti m e o n d e m urr a g e w h er e v ali d N O R h as n ot b e e n t e n d er e d d u e t o d el a y i n o bt ai ni n g fr e e pr ati q u e as a r es ult of pr e c a uti o ns p ert ai ni n g t o t h e c or o n a vir us, i n cl u di n g b ut n ot li mit e d t o d el a ys c a us e d b y n o n -a v ail a bilit y of i ns p e ct ors r e q uir e d t o att e n d f or t h e p ur p os es of gr a nti n g fr e e pr ati q u e. ” I d. 2 C h art er ers, t o g et h er wit h all s u p p orti n g d o c u m e nt ati o n s u bst a nti ati n g e a c h a n d e v er y c o nstit u e nt p art of t h e cl ai m, wit hi n ni n et y ( 9 0) d a ys of t h e c o m pl eti o n of dis c h ar g e of t h e c ar g o c arri e d h er e u n d er. ” I d. at 2 1 . Pri or t o t h e V ess el’s arri v al i n H o n g K o n g, t h e V ess el M ast er a d vis e d l o c al a ut h oriti es t h at a cr e w m e m b er h a d a f e v er. A m e n d. C o m pl., D kt. 9 ¶ 1 9. T h e V ess el arri v e d i n H o n g K o n g a n d t e n d er e d its first N O R t o t h e H o n g K o n g a ut h oriti es o n A u g ust 6, 2 0 2 0. I d. ¶ ¶ 1 9, 2 3 – 2 4. T h at N O R w as als o t e n d er e d t o L a ur el o n A u g ust 6, 2 0 2 0 a n d r e-t e n d er e d d ail y u ntil S e pt e m b er 1 3, 2 0 2 0. I d. ¶ 4 0. Aft er v ari o us cr e w m e m b ers t est e d p ositi v e f or C O VI D - 1 9, th e V ess el w as or d er e d i nt o q u ar a nti n e. B y S e pt e m b er 6, 2 0 2 0, all of t h e V ess el’s cr e w m e m b ers t est e d n e g ati v e f or C O VI D- 1 9, a n d , o n S e pt e m b er 7, 2 0 2 0, t h e V ess el w as gr a nt e d fr e e pr ati q u e. I d. ¶ ¶ 2 5 – 4 3. T h e V ess el c o m pl et e d dis c h ar g e o p er ati o ns o n S e pt e m b er 1 5, 2 0 2 0. I d. ¶ 4 1. B ar n et M ari n e s u b mitt e d its first d e m urr a g e cl ai m f or $ 9 7, 5 0 0 o n O ct o b er 2 0, 2 0 2 0 ( 3 5 d a ys aft er c o m pl eti o n of dis c h ar g e). I d. ¶ ¶ 4 3 –4 4. T h at cl ai m c al c ul at e d d e m urr a g e fr o m S e pt e m b er 7 , 2 0 2 0, t h e d at e of t h e first N O R t e n d er e d aft er t h e V ess el w as gr a nt e d fr e e pr ati q u e . I d. O n J a n u ar y 2 9, 2 0 2 1 ( 1 3 6 d a ys aft er t h e c o m pl eti o n of dis c h ar g e), B ar n et M ari n e s u b mitt e d w h at it c h ar a ct eri z e d as a n “ a m e n d e d d e m urr a g e ” cl ai m t o L a ur el f or $5 7 3, 4 3 7. 5 5. I d. ¶ ¶ 4 6 – 4 7. T h e “ a m e n d e d ” cl ai m c h a n g e d t h e pr e mis e f or t h e cl ai m fr o m t h e N O R iss u e d o n S e pt e m b er 7, 2 0 2 0, t o t h e N O R iss u e d o n A u g ust 6, 2 0 2 0. I d. L a ur el o bj e cts t o b ot h cl ai ms. I d. ¶ ¶ 4 5, 5 0. B ar n et M ari n e c o m m e n c e d t his l a ws uit o n J u n e 8, 2 0 2 1, s e e ki n g $ 5 7 3, 4 3 7. 5 5 i n d a m a g es f or br e a c h of c o ntr a ct f or L a ur el ’s f ail ur e t o p a y its “a m e n d e d ” d e m urr a g e cl ai m , pl us i nt er est.7 7 B ar n et M ari n e ar g u es i n t h e alt er n ati v e t h at it is e ntitl e d t o $ 9 7, 5 0 0 i n d a m a g es f or L a ur el’s f ail ur e t o p a y its ori gi n al d e m urr a g e cl ai m. S e e A m e n d . C o m pl., D kt. 9 ¶ 5 8. 3 S e e C o m pl., D kt. 1. 8 O n t h e s a m e d at e, B ar n et M ari n e m o v e d f or m ariti m e att a c h m e nt p urs u a nt t o R ul e B of t h e S u p pl e m e nt al R ul es f or A d mir alt y or M ariti m e Cl ai ms a n d Ass et F orf eit ur e A cti o ns of t h e F e d er al R ul es of Ci vil Pr o c e d ur e. S e e M ot. f or Att a c h., D kt. 7. T h e C o urt gr a nt e d Pl ai ntiff’s m oti o n. S e e Or d er, D kt. 1 1. O n S e pt e m b er 3, 2 0 2 1, L a ur el m o v e d t o v a c at e t h e att a c h m e nt, s e e N ot. of M oti o n, D kt. 3 3, a n d m o v e d f or p arti al j u d g m e nt o n t h e pl e a di n gs wit h r es p e ct t o B ar n et M ari n e’s a m e n d e d d e m urr a g e cl ai m, s e e N ot. of M oti o n, D kt. 3 6. B ar n et M ari n e o p p os es b ot h m oti o ns. R es p., D kt. 4 9; R es p., D kt. 5 0. DI S C U S SI O N I. L a u r el ’s M oti o n t o V a c at e Is D e ni e d 9 “ O n c e a pl ai ntiff h as c arri e d his b ur d e n t o s h o w t h at his att a c h m e nt s atisfi es t h e r e q uir e m e nts of S u p pl e m e nt al R ul e B, a distri ct c o urt m a y v a c at e a n att a c h m e nt o nl y . . . w h er e 1) t h e d ef e n d a nt is pr es e nt i n a c o n v e ni e nt a dj a c e nt j uris di cti o n; 2) t h e d ef e n d a nt is pr es e nt i n t h e distri ct w h er e t h e pl ai ntiff is l o c at e d; or 3) t h e pl ai ntiff h as alr e a d y o bt ai n e d s uffi ci e nt s e c urit y f or a j u d g m e nt. ” A q u a St oli S hi p pi n g Lt d. v. G ar d n er S mit h Pt y Lt d. , 4 6 0 F. 3 d 4 3 4, 4 3 6 ( 2 d Cir. 2 0 0 6), a br o g at e d o n ot h er gr o u n ds b y S hi p pi n g C or p. of I n di a v. J al d hi O v ers e as Pt e Lt d. , 5 8 5 F. 3 d 5 8 ( 2 d Cir. 2 0 0 9). L a ur el m o v es f or v a c at ur p urs u a nt t o t h e first c at e g or y; it ar g u es t h at it F oll o wi n g a n or d er b y t h e C o urt, B ar n et M a ri n e a m e n d e d its c o m pl ai nt t o i n cl u d e t h e r e q uir e d v erifi c ati o n. S e e Or d er, D kt. 8; A m e n d. C o m pl., D kt. 9; F e d. R. Ci v. P. S u p p. R ul e B( 1)( a) (st ati n g t h at “ a v erifi e d c o m pl ai nt m a y c o nt ai n a pr a y er f or pr o c ess ” t o att a c h a d ef e n d a nt’s pr o p ert y). 8 9 P urs u a nt t o R ul e E( 4)(f) of t h e F e d er al R ul es of Ci vil Pr o c e d ur e , “[ w] h e n e v er pr o p ert y is arr est e d or att a c h e d, a n y p ers o n cl ai mi n g a n i nt er est i n it s h all b e e ntitl e d t o a pr o m pt h e ari n g at w hi c h t h e pl ai ntiff s h all b e r e q uir e d t o s h o w w h y t h e arr est or att a c h m e nt s h o ul d n ot b e v a c at e d or ot h er r eli ef gr a nt e d c o nsist e nt wit h t h es e r ul es. ” F e d. R. Ci v. P. S u p p. R ul e E( 4)(f). L a ur el di d n ot r e q u est a h e ari n g i n its p a p ers i n s u p p ort of its m oti o n t o v a c at e t h e att a c h m e nt. S e e g e n er all y N ot. of M ot., D kt. 3 3 ; M e m. of L a w, D kt. 3 5 . O n J u n e 1 5, 2 0 2 2, t h e C o urt or d er e d L a ur el t o cl arif y w h et h er it w as r e q u esti n g a h e ari n g or w h et h er it w o ul d li k e t h e C o urt t o d e ci d e t h e m oti o n wit h o ut a h e ari n g a n d b as e d o n t h e p a p ers b ef or e it. Or d er, D kt. 5 5. L a ur e l d e clin e d a h e ari n g. L ett er, D kt. 5 6. 4 “ c a n b e f o u n d i n C o n n e cti c ut, w hi c h is a ‘ c o n v e ni e nt a dj a c e nt j uris di cti o n.’ ” M e m. of L a w, D kt. 3 5 at 4. 1 0 T h e ot h er t w o gr o u n ds f or v a c at ur ar e n ot at iss u e. A d ef e n d a nt is “f o u n d ” wit hi n a gi v e n distri ct if (i) it is s u bj e ct t o p ers o n al j uris di cti o n i n t h at distri ct a n d (ii) s er vi c e of pr o c ess m a y b e eff e ct u at e d wit h r e as o n a bl e dili ge n c e wit hi n t h at distri ct ’s g e o gr a p hi c al b o u n d ari es. S T X P a n o c e a n ( U K) C o. v. Gl or y W e alt h S hi p pi n g Pt e Lt d. , 5 6 0 F. 3 d 1 2 7, 1 3 0 ( 2 d Cir. 2 0 0 9). T h e d ef e n d a nt b e ars t h e b ur d e n t o est a blis h a n y e q uit a bl e gr o u n ds f or v a c at ur. S e e A q u a St oli , 4 6 0 F. 3 d at 4 4 5 n. 5. Be c a us e L a ur el is n ot s u bj e ct t o p ers o n al j uris di cti o n i n C o n n e cti c ut , it is n ot “ pr es e nt ” i n a c o n v e ni e nt a dj a c e nt j uris di cti o n; 1 1 A c c or di n gl y, L a ur el is n ot e ntitl e d t o e q uit a bl e v a c at ur . Alt h o u g h f e d er al l a w d efi n es t h e r e q uir e m e nts of R ul e B, “f e d er al c o urts l o o k t o t h e r el e v a nt St at e l a w t o d et er mi n e if t h os e r e q uir e m e nts ar e m et. ” S T X P a n o c e a n , 5 6 0 F. 3 d at 1 3 1. C o n n e cti c ut l a w r e q uir es a t w o -st e p i n q uir y t o d et er mi n e w h et h er a c o urt has p ers o n al j uris di cti o n o v er a d ef e n d a nt. C o urts m ust first c o nsi d er w h et h er j uris di cti o n is c o nf err e d b y C o n n e cti c ut’s l o n g- ar m st at ut es. S e e P o w d er C o ati n g C o ns ult a nts v. T h e P o w d er C o ati n g I nst., N o. 0 9- C V - 2 0 0, 2 0 1 0 W L 5 8 2 6 1 3, at * 2 ( D. C o n n. F e b. 1 6, 2 0 1 0). If p ers o n al j uris di cti o n is p er missi bl e u n d er t h e l o n g- ar m st at ut es, c o urt s n e xt c o nsi d er w h et h er t h e e x er cis e of j uris di cti o n c o m p orts wit h t h e d u e pr o c ess cl a us e of t h e C o nstit uti o n. S e e M etr o p olit a n Lif e I ns. C o. v. R o b erts o n – C E C O C or p., 8 4 F. 3 d 5 6 0, 5 6 7 ( 2 d Cir. 2 0 0 6). B ar n et M ari n e ar g u es t h at t h e Distri ct of C o n n e cti c ut is n ot a c o n v e ni e nt a dj a c e nt f or u m t o t h e S o ut h er n Distri ct of N e w Y or k. S e e R es p., D kt. 5 0 at 2 – 4 ( ar g ui n g t h at o nl y i ntr a-st at e distri cts m a y b e c o nsi d er e d c o n v e n i e nt a dj a c e nt f or u ms). B e c a us e t h e C o urt fi n ds t h at L a ur el is n ot “f o u n d ” i n C o n n e cti c ut, t h e C o urt d e cli n es t o c o nsi d er w h et h er t h e Distri ct of C o n n e cti c ut is a c o n v e ni e nt a dj a c e nt f or u m t o t h e S o ut h er n Distri ct of N e w Y or k. 10 11 B ar n et M ari n e ar g u es t h at L a ur el is n ot s u bj e ct t o s er vi c e of pr o c ess i n t h e Distri ct of C o n n e cti c ut. S e e R es p., D kt. 5 0 at 1 0 – 1 1. B e c a us e t h e C o urt fi n ds t h at L a ur el is n ot s u bj e ct t o p ers o n al j uris di cti o n i n C o nn e cti c ut a n d is t h er ef or e n ot “f o u n d ” i n t h e distri ct, t h e C o urt d e cli n es t o c o nsi d er w h et h er L a ur el w o ul d b e s u bj e ct t o s er vi c e of pr o c ess i n t h e Distri ct of C o n n e cti c ut. 5 P ers o n al j uris di cti o n m a y b e eit h er g e n er al or s p e cifi c. Br o w n v. L o c k h e e d M arti n C or p. , 8 1 4 F. 3 d 6 1 9, 6 2 4 ( 2 d Cir. 2 0 1 6). G e n er al, or “ all- p ur p os e, ” j uris di cti o n all o ws a c o urt t o a dj u di c at e a n y c a us e of a cti o n a g ai nst t h e d ef e n d a nt, r e g ar dl ess of w h er e it ar os e. I d. S p e cifi c j uris di cti o n, o n t h e ot h er h a n d, “is a v ail a bl e w h e n t h e c a us e of a cti o n s u e d u p o n aris es o ut of t h e d ef e n d a nt’ s a cti viti es i n a st at e. ” I d.; s e e als o H eli c o pt er os N a ci o n al es d e C ol o m bi a, S. A. v. H all , 4 6 6 U. S. 4 0 8, 4 1 4 n. 8 ( 1 9 8 4). L a ur el ar g u es t h at it is s u bj e ct t o g e n er al j uris di cti o n i n C o n n e cti c ut. S e e M e m. of L a w, D kt. 3 5 at 7 – 8. 12 A. C o n n e cti c ut’s L o n g A r m St at ut es D o N ot R e a c h L a u r el C o n n e cti c ut’s l o n g- ar m st at ut es li mit t h e c o nfi n es of g e n er al j uris di cti o n. S e e C o n n. G e n. St at. § 3 3- 9 2 9(f); C o n n. G e n. St at. § 5 2- 5 9 b( a); s e e als o T h o m as o n v. C h e mi c al B a n k, 2 3 4 C o n n. 2 8 1, 2 9 3 ( 1 9 9 5) ( “[ T] h e [ C o n n e cti c ut] l e gisl at ur e di d n ot i nt e n d t o a ut h ori z e C o n n e cti c ut c o urts t o e x er cis e t h e f ull m e as ur e of ‘ g e n er al’ j uris di cti o n t h at w o ul d h a v e b e e n c o nstit uti o n all y p er missi bl e. ”); V el az q u ez v. G at or P ar k, I n c. , N o. 1 7-C V - 3 2 1, 2 0 1 8 W L 1 0 1 5 3 3 1, at * 2 ( D. C o n n. F e b. 2 2, 2 0 1 8) (r eit er ati n g t h e s a m e p oint of l a w). T h e e x er cis e of g e n er al j uris di cti o n i n C o n n e cti c ut r e q uir es t h at “t h e d ef e n d a nt c o ul d r e as o n a bl y h a v e a nti ci p at e d b ei n g h a ul e d i nt o c o urt [t] h er e b y s o m e p ers o n w h o h a d b e e n s oli cit e d i n C o n n e cti c ut a n d t h at t h e pl ai ntiff’s c a us e of a cti o n is n ot m at eri all y diff er e nt fr o m a n a cti o n t h at mi g ht h a v e r es ult e d fr o m t h at s oli cit ati o n. ” T h o m as o n , 2 3 4 C o n n. at 2 9 6. I n d e e d, “t o s atisf y g e n er al j uris di cti o n, t h e d ef e n d a nt m ust h a v e s p e cifi c all y t ar g et e d C o n n e cti c ut r esi d e nts. ” V el az q u ez , 2 0 1 8 W L 1 0 1 5 3 3 1, at * 2.1 3 B e c a us e L a ur el d o es n ot ar g u e t h at it is s u bj e ct t o s p e cifi c j uris di cti o n i n C on n e cti c ut, t h e C o urt d e cli n es t o c o nsi d er t h at p ossi bilit y . 12 13 T w o of C o n n e cti c ut’s l o n g -ar m st at ut es ar e p ot e nti all y r el e v a nt h er e. S e e C o n n. G e n. St at. § 3 3 -9 2 9(f) (r el ati n g t o f or ei g n c or p or ati o ns); C o n n. G e n. St at. § 5 2-5 9 b( a) (r el ati n g t o f or ei g n p art n ers hi ps). B e c a us e L a ur el is a li mit e d li a bilit y c o m p a n y i n c or p or at e d i n D el a w ar e, s e e A m e n d. C o m pl. , D kt. 9 ¶ 3, L a ur el is c o nsi d er e d a f or ei g n li mit e d li a bilit y c o m p a n y u n d er C o n n e cti c ut l a w. S e e C o n n. G e n. St at. § 3 4 -2 4 3 a( 9). “[I]t r e m ai ns u ns ettl e d 6 L a ur el d o es n ot s u g g est t h at it t ar g ets C o n n e cti c ut r esi d e nts or t h at a n y c a us e of a cti o n si mil ar t o t hat br o u g ht b y B ar n et M ari n e m a y aris e fr o m L a ur el ’s d e ali n gs wit hi n C o n n e cti c ut. 1 4 S e e T h o m as o n , 2 3 4 C o n n. at 2 9 7 – 9 9 (fi n di n g t h e l o n g-ar m st at ut e s atisfi e d w h er e t h e d ef e n d a nt cir c ul at e d a d v ertis e m e nts i n C o n n e cti c ut e n c o ur a gi n g C o n n e cti c ut r esi d e nts t o d o b usi n ess wit h t h e d ef e n d a nt). B e c a us e L a ur el h as n ot pr o vi d e d a n y i nf or m ati o n a b o ut its a cti viti es t h at t ar g et C o n n e cti c ut r esi d e nts , t h e e x er cis e of p ers o n al j uris di cti o n o v er L a ur el i n C o n n e cti c ut w o ul d n ot c o m p ort wit h t h e st at e’s l o n g- ar m st at ut es. B e c a us e L a ur el c a n n ot b e “f o u n d ” i n C o n n e cti c ut f or t h e p ur p os es of R ul e E( 4)(f), it is n ot e ntitl e d t o e q uit a bl e v a c at ur . B. T h e E x e r cis e of J u ris di cti o n o v e r L a u r el i n C o n n e cti c ut W o ul d N ot C o m p o rt w it h th e C o nstit uti o n’s D u e P r o c ess G u a r a nt e e E v e n if L a ur el w er e s u bj e ct t o g e n er al j uris di cti o n i n C o n n e cti c ut u n d er t h e st at e’s l o n g- ar m st at ut es, t h e e x er cis e of g e n er al j uris di cti o n o v er L a ur el i n C o n n e cti c ut w o ul d r u n af o ul of d u e pr o c ess pr ot e cti o ns. “[ T] h e e x er cis e of p ers o n al j uris di cti o n o v er a d ef e n d a nt is i nf or m e d a n d li mit e d b y t h e U. S. C o nstit uti o n’s g u ar a nt e e of d u e pr o c ess, w hi c h r e q uir es t h at a n y j uris di cti o n al e x er cis e b e c o nsist e nt wit h ‘tr a diti o n al n oti o ns of f air pl a y a n d s u bst a nti al j usti c e.’ ” Br o w n v. L o c k h e e d M arti n C or p. , 8 1 4 F. 3 d 6 1 9, 6 2 5 ( 2 d Cir. 2 0 1 6). L a ur el ar g u es t h at it is s u bj e ct t o g e n er al j uris di cti o n i n C o n n e cti c ut b e c a us e it m ai nt ai ns its pri n ci p al pl a c e of b usi n ess t h er e. S e e M e m. of L a w, D kt. 3 5 at 8; s e e als o D ai ml er A G v. w h et h er a f or ei g n li mit e d li a bilit y c o m p a n y s h o ul d b e tr e at e d as a c or p or ati o n or a p art n ers hi p f or p ur p os es of t h e C o n n e cti c ut l o n g -ar m st at ut es. ” S S & C T e c h n ol o gi es, I n c. v. Pr o vi d e n c e I n v. M g mt., L L C , N o. 0 7-C V -4 8 4, 2 0 0 8 W L 6 9 1 7 0 2, at * 2 ( D. C o n n. M ar. 1 2, 2 0 0 8) . B ut t h at o p e n q u esti o n of l a w is irr el e v a nt h er e b e c a us e, wit h o ut d eli b er at e t ar g eti n g of C o n n e cti c ut r esi d e nts, “t h er e c a n b e n o p ur p os ef ul a v ail m e nt of t h e l a ws of t h e St at e of C o n n e cti c ut, a n d t h er ef or e l o n g -ar m j uris di cti o n c a n n ot b e pr o p er ” u n d er eit h er pr o visi o n. A m eri c a n W h ol es al ers U n d er writi n g, Lt d. v. A m eri c a n W h ol es al e I ns. Gr o u p, I n c. , 3 1 2 F. S u p p. 2 d 2 4 7, 2 5 7 ( D. C o n n. 2 0 0 4). 14 C o n n e cti c ut’s l o n g -ar m st at ut es c o ul d r e a c h L a ur el if , for e x a m pl e, it c h art er e d v ess els fr om s hi po w n ers i n C o n n e cti c ut. 7 B a u m a n , 5 7 1 U. S. 1 1 7, 1 3 7 ( 2 0 1 4) (st ati n g t h at a c or p or ati o n’s pri n ci p al pla c e of b usi n ess is a p ar a di g m f or u m f or g e n er al j uris di cti o n); Br o w n , 8 1 4 F. 3 d at 6 2 7 ( 2 d Cir. 2 0 1 6) ( “D ai ml er est a blis h e d t h at, e x c e pt i n a tr ul y ‘ e x c e pti o n al’ c as e, a c or p or at e d ef e n d a nt m a y b e tr e at e d as ‘ ess e nti all y at h o m e’ o nl y w h er e it is i n c or p or ate d or m ai nt ai ns its pri n ci p al pl a c e of b usi n ess . . . . ”). A c o m p a n y’s pri n ci p al pl a c e of b usi n ess is “t h e pl a c e w h er e [its] offi c ers dir e ct, c o ntr ol, a n d c o or di n at e [its] a cti viti es. ” H ertz C or p. v. Fri e n d , 5 5 9 U. S. 7 7, 9 2 ( 2 0 1 0). “[ A] c or p or ati o n c a n n ot dis p ositi v el y d e cl ar e . . . its pri n ci p al pl a c e of b usi n ess f or j uris di cti o n al p ur p os es. I nst e a d, a c o urt dr a ws t his c o n cl usi o n . . . . ” H el msl e y - S p e ar, I n c. v. R a mfis R e alt y I n c., N o. 0 3C V - 8 4 8 2, 2 0 0 3 W L 2 2 8 0 1 1 6 2, at * 3 ( S. D. N. Y. N o v. 2 5, 2 0 0 3); s ee als o H ertz , 5 5 9 U. S. 7 7 at 9 6 – 9 7 (r e q uiri n g t h at p arti es s u p p ort t h eir j uris di cti o n al all e g ati o ns wit h “ c o m p et e nt pr o of ”). H er e, L a ur el off ers a n ass erti o n i n its a ns w er, a s w or n st at e m e nt, a n d a b usi n ess c ertifi c at e as pr o of t h at its pri n ci p al pl a c e of b usi n ess is i n C o n n e cti c ut. I n its a ns w er, L a ur el ass erts t h at it h as a pri n ci p al pl a c e of b usi n ess i n C o n n e cti c ut a n d a br a n c h offi c e i n Si n g a p or e. S e e A ns., D kt. 3 2 ¶ ¶ 3 – 4. A d diti o n all y, i n s u p p ort of its m oti o n t o v a c at e, L a ur el att a c h e d a d e cl ar ati o n fr o m N a n S w a n, a n “ Assist a nt S e cr et ar y ” at t h e c o m p a n y w h o w or ks o ut of L a ur el ’s C o n n e cti c ut offi c e. S e e S w a n D e cl., D kt. 3 4 ¶ ¶ 1 – 2. I n h er s w or n d e cl ar ati o n, Ms. S w a n st at es t h at L a ur el ’s pri n ci p al pl a c e of b usi n ess is its C o n n e cti c ut offi c e a n d t h at L a ur el ’s offi c ers w or k fr o m t h at offi c e. I d. ¶ 5. 1 5 L a ur el ’s pr o of is i ns uffi ci e nt t o est a blis h t h at t h e e x er cis e of g e n er al j uris di cti o n b y a c o urt i n C o n n e cti c ut w o ul d c o m p ort wit h d u e pr o c ess. I n St. P a ul Fir e & M ari n e I ns. C o. v. 15 L a ur el als o att a c h e d a “ R e gistr ati o n of Tr a d e, B usi n ess & Fi ctiti o us N a m e C ertifi c at e ” t o its m oti o n. T h e C ertifi c at e, fil e d wit h t h e St at e of D el a w ar e, lists t h e C o n n e cti c ut offi c e as L a ur el ’s “ B usi n ess A d dr ess. ” S e e C e rtifi c at e, D kt. 3 4-1 at 2. B ut t h e f a ct t h at a p arti c ul ar offi c e is t h e “ b usi n ess a d dr ess ” f or t h e c o m p a n y s a ys n ot hi n g a b o ut w h et h er it is t h e c o m p a n y’s pri n ci p al pl a c e of b usi n ess. 8 S c o pi a Wi n d mill F u n d, L P , 8 7 F. S u p p. 3 d 6 0 3, 6 0 5 – 0 8 ( S. D. N. Y. 2 0 1 5), f or e x a m pl e, t h e c o urt c o nsi d er e d t h e r es p o nsi biliti es a n d r e p orti n g r el ati o ns hi ps of fift e e n offi c ers a n d t w o ot h er “s e ni or m a n a g e m e nt p ers o n n el ” t o d et er mi n e t h e c o m p a n y’s c e nt er of c o ntr ol. T h e c o urt i d e ntifi e d t h e pri n ci p al pl a c e of b usi n ess as t h e offi c e wit h t h e gr e at est c o n c e ntr ati o n of “ d e cisi o n m a ki n g a ut h orit y, ” d es pit e t h e pr es e n c e of offi c ers i n n u m er o us l o c ati o ns. I d. H er e, L a ur el h as n ot est a blis h e d t h at its pri n ci p al pl a c e of b usi n ess is t h e C o n n e cti c ut offi c e b e c a us e it h as pr es e nt e d n o e vi d e n c e r e g ar di n g w h er e its i m p ort a nt d e cisi o ns ar e m a d e. L a ur el ’s ass erti o ns i n its a ns w er a n d i n t h e S w a n d e cl ar ati o n t h at its offi c e i n C o n n e cti c ut is its pri n ci p al pl a c e of b usi n ess — wit h o ut m or e — c arr y littl e w ei g ht. S e e B e n c h m ar k I n vs., I n c. v. P A V m e d I n c. , N o. 2 0-C V - 1 0 8 8 8, 2 0 2 1 W L 5 9 6 7 9 1 8, at * 2 ( S. D. N. Y. D e c. 1 6, 2 0 2 1) ( h ol di n g t h at a c o m p a n y’s pri n ci p al pl a c e of b usi n ess is n ot n e c ess aril y t h e sit e t h at it d e cl ar es t o b e its “ pri n ci p al e x e c uti v e offi c es ”); C ofi m c o U S A, I n c. v. M osi e wi cz , 1 5-C V - 9 1 1 8, 2 0 1 6 W L 1 0 7 0 8 5 4, at * 4 ( S. D. N. Y. M ar. 1 6, 2 0 1 6) (fi n di n g t h at a d e cl ar ati o n is n ot cr e di bl e w h er e it d o es n ot pr o vi d e s u p p orti n g d et ails f or t h e ass erti o n t h at d e cl ar a nt dir e cts, c o ntr ols, a n d c o or di n at es c or p or at e aff airs). L a ur el ur g es t h e C o urt t o a c c e pt t h e S w a n d e cl ar ati o n as s uffi ci e nt pr o of t h at t h e e x er cis e of g e n er al j uris di cti o n o v er it i n C o n n e cti c ut w o ul d c o m p ort wit h d u e pr o c ess b e c a us e “ c o urts i n t h e S e c o n d Cir c uit r e g ul arl y fi n d a c or p or at e offi c er’s s w or n st at e m e nt t o b e s uffi ci e nt pr o of of a c or p or ati o n’s pri n ci p al pl a c e of b usi n ess. ” R e pl y, D kt. 5 1 at 4 ( citi n g K a n o witz v. Br o a dri d g e Fi n. S ol uti o ns, I n c. , N o. 1 3-C V - 6 4 9, 2 0 1 4 W L 1 3 3 8 3 7 0, at * 1 0 ( E. D. N. Y. M ar. 3 1, 2 0 1 4)). T h e pr o bl e m is n ot t h at L a ur el h as pr es e nt e d its e vi d e n c e i n t h e f or m of a s w or n d e cl ar ati o n; t h e pr o bl e m is t h at t h e d e cl ar ati o n is c o n cl us or y a n d l a c ks s uffi ci e nt f a cts f or t h e C o urt t o d et er mi n e w h et h er L a ur el’s offi c e i n C o n n e cti c ut is, i n f a ct, its c e nt er of c o ntr ol. I n K a n o witz , b y c o ntr ast, 9 t h e c o urt f o u n d t h at g e n er al j uris di cti o n e xist e d b as e d o n s w or n st at e m e nts all e gi n g s p e cifi c f a cts t h at i n di c at ed t h e c o m p a n y is c o ntr oll e d i n a p arti c ul ar l o c ati o n. S e e K a n o witz , 2 0 1 4 W L 1 3 3 8 3 7 0, at * 1 0 (i d e ntif yi n g ei g ht c or p or at e offi c ers b y p ositi o n t h at “ dir e ct, c o ntr ol, a n d c o or di n at e ” t h e c o m p a n y’s o p er ati o ns). U nli k e t h e d e cl ar ati o n s c o nsi d er e d i n K a n o witz , t h e o nl y p erti n e nt st at e m e nt i n S w a n ’s d e cl ar ati o n is t h at u ns p e cifi e d offi c ers w or k i n t h e C o n n e cti c ut offi c e; s h e d o es n ot s p e cif y w hi c h o ffi c ers or d es cri b e t h eir r es p o nsi biliti es. S e e S w a n D e cl. ¶ 5. H er d e cl ar ati o n d o es n ot est a blis h w h o c o ntr ols L a ur el ’s o p er ati o ns or w h er e s u c h i n di vi d u als ar e l o c at e d. I d. A c c or di n gl y, t h e S w a n d e cl ar ati o n is i ns uffi ci e nt t o s u p p ort a fi n di n g t h at C o n n e cti c ut is L a ur el ’s pri n ci p al pl a c e of b usi n ess. Wit h o ut a n y a d diti o n al e vi d e n c e, L a ur el h as n ot s h o w n t h at a C o n n e cti c ut c o urt’s e x er cis e of g e n er al j uris di cti o n w o ul d c o m p ort wit h d u e pr o c ess. I n s u m, L a ur e l h as n ot c arri e d its b ur d e n t o s h o w t h at it is s u bj e ct t o g e n er al j uris di cti o n i n C o n n e cti c ut u n d er t h e st at e’s l o n g-ar m st at ut e s or t h at a n y s u c h e x er cis e of j uris di cti o n w o ul d c o m p ort wit h d u e pr o c ess. B e c a us e L a ur el is n ot s u bj e ct t o p ers o n al j uris di cti o n i n C o n n e cti c ut, L a ur el is n ot pr es e nt i n a c o n v e ni e nt a dj a c e nt j uris di cti o n f or t h e p ur p os es of S u p pl e m e nt al R ul e E. A c c or di n gl y, L a ur el’s m oti o n t o v a c at e t h e att a c h m e nt is d e ni e d. II. L a u r el ’s M oti o n f o r P a rti al J u d g m e nt o n t h e Pl e a di n gs Is G r a nt e d “J u d g m e nt o n t h e pl e a di n gs is a p pr o pri at e w h er e m at eri al f a cts ar e u n dis p ut e d a n d w h er e a j u d g m e nt o n t h e m erits is p ossi bl e m er el y b y c o nsi d eri n g t h e c o nt e nts of t h e pl e a di n gs. ” S ell ers v. M. C. Fl o or Cr aft ers, I n c. , 8 4 2 F. 2 d 6 3 9, 6 4 2 ( 2 d Cir. 1 9 8 8) ( cit ati o n o mitt e d). “ T h e st a n d ar d f or gr a nti n g a R ul e 1 2( c) m oti o n f or j u d g m e nt o n t h e pl e a di n gs is i d e nti c al t o t h at of a R ul e 1 2( b)(6) m oti o n f or f ail ur e t o st at e a cl ai m. ” P at el v. C o nt e m p. Cl assi cs of B e v erl y Hills , 2 5 9 F. 3 d 1 2 3, 1 2 6 ( 2 d Cir. 2 0 0 1) ( cit ati o n o mitt e d). T h e C o urt m ust 10 “ vi e w t h e pl e a di n gs i n t h e li g ht m ost f a v or a bl e t o, a n d dr a w all r e as o n a bl e i nf er e n c es i n f a v or of, t h e n o n m o vi n g p art y. ” D a vi ds o n v. Fl y n n , 3 2 F. 3 d 2 7, 2 9 ( 2 d Cir. 1 9 9 4) (cl e a n e d u p ). I n a dj u di c ati n g a R ul e 1 2( c) m oti o n, t h e c o urt e x a mi n es “t h e c o m pl ai nt, t h e a ns w er, a n y writt e n d o c u m e nts att a c h e d t o t h e m, a n d a n y m att er of w hi c h t h e c o urt c a n t a k e j u di ci al n oti c e. ” L- 7 D esi g ns, I n c. v. Ol d N a v y L L C , 6 4 7 F. 3 d 4 1 9, 4 2 2 ( 2 d Cir. 2 0 1 1) (cl e a n e d u p ). I n a br e a c h of c o ntr a ct c as e, t h e c o urt m a y gr a nt a m oti o n f or j u d g m e nt o n t h e pl e a di n gs o nl y if t h e c o ntr a ct is u n a m bi g u o us. S e e A d v a n c e d M kt g. Gr p., I n c. v. B us. P a y m e nt S ys., L L C, 3 0 0 F. A p p’ x 4 8, 4 9 ( 2 d Cir. 2 0 0 8). A m bi g uit y e xists w h er e “ a c o ntr a ct t er m c o ul d s u g g est m or e t h a n o n e m e a ni n g w h e n vi e w e d o bj e cti v el y b y a r e as o n a bl y i nt elli g e nt p ers o n w h o h as e x a mi n e d t h e c o nt e xt of t h e e ntir e i nt e gr at e d a gr e e m e nt a n d w h o is c o g ni z a nt of t h e c ust o ms, pr a cti c es, us a g es a n d t er mi n ol o g y as g e n er all y u n d erst o o d i n t h e p arti c ul ar tr a d e or b usi n ess. ” B a y eris c h e L a n d es b a n k v. Al a d di n C a pit al M g mt. L L C , 6 9 2 F. 3 d 4 2, 5 3 ( 2 d Cir. 2 0 1 2) (i nt er n al q u ot ati o n m ar ks o mitt e d). L a ur el ar g u es t h at it is u n a m bi g u o usl y cl e ar u n d er t h e t er ms of t h e c h art er p art y t h at B ar n et M ari n e’s a m e n d e d d e m urr a g e cl ai m w as n ot ti m el y pr es e nt e d. S e e M e m. of L a w, D kt. 3 8 at 7 – 8. T h e C o urt a gr e es. P urs u a nt t o t h e c h art er p art y , L a ur el is r el e as e d fr o m li a bilit y f or d e m urr a g e “ u nl ess a cl ai m i n writi n g h as b e e n pr es e nt e d t o C h art er ers, t o g et h er wit h all s u p p orti n g d o c u m e nt ati o n ” wit hi n 9 0 d a ys of t h e c o m pl eti o n of dis c h ar g e. C h art er P art y, D kt. 91 at 2 1. B ar n et M ari n e all e g es t h at it s u b mitt e d its first d e m urr a g e cl ai m f or $ 9 7, 5 0 0 o n O ct o b er 2 0, 2 0 2 0, 3 5 d a ys aft er t h e V ess el c o m pl et e d dis c h ar g e. A m e n d. C o m pl., D kt. 9 ¶ ¶ 4 1, 4 3 – 4 4. A c c or di n g t o B ar n et M ari n e, t h at d e m urr a g e cl ai m w as pr e mis e d o n t h e S e pt e m b er 7 , 2 0 2 0, N O R a n d i n cl u d e d all s u p p orti n g d o c u m e nt ati o n as r e q uir e d b y t h e c h art er p art y. I d. ¶ 4 3. N eit h er p art y c o nt ests t h e ti m eli n ess of t h at cl ai m f or d e m urr a g e u n d er t h e c h art er p art y. 11 S u bs e q u e ntl y, B ar n et M ari n e s u b mitt e d a n ot h er d e m urr a g e cl ai m, t his o n e f or $ 5 7 3, 4 3 7. 5 5; it w as s u b mitt e d o n J a n u ar y 2 9, 2 0 2 1 ( “J a n u ar y 2 9 Cl ai m ”), 1 3 6 d a ys aft er t h e V ess el c o m pl et e d dis c h ar g e, a n d it w as pr e mis e d o n t h e N O R t e n d er e d o n A u g ust 6, 2 0 2 0. I d. ¶¶ 4 6 – 4 7. Alt h o u g h s u b mitt e d m or e t h a n 9 0 d a ys aft er dis c h ar g e, B ar n et M ari n e c o nt e n ds t h at t h e cl ai m w as ti m el y b e c a us e it w as m er el y a n a m e n d m e nt of t h e first cl ai m, n ot a s e p ar at e, s e c o n d cl ai m. I d. ¶ 4 8. B ar n et M ari n e a c k n o wl e d g es, h o w e v er, t h at it w as b as e d o n a n e ntir el y diff er e nt N O R a n d t h at it s u b mitt e d a d diti o n al d o c u m e nts t o L a ur el i n s u p p ort of t h e J a n u ar y 2 9 Cl ai m. I d. ¶ ¶ 4 8, 4 9. Alt h o u g h t h e d o c u m e nts s u b mitt e d o n J a n u ar y 2 9 w er e alr e a d y i n L a ur el’s p oss essi o n, B ar n et M ari n e c o n c e d es t h at t h e y w er e n ot s e nt wit h t h e ori gi n al d e m urr a g e cl ai m. I d. ¶ ¶ 4 9, 5 1. T h e C o urt a gr e es wit h L a ur el ’s pl ai n r e a di n g of t h e r el e v a nt pr o visi o n: t h e J a n u ar y 2 9 C l ai m is ti m e-b arr e d b e c a us e it w as n ot pr es e nt e d, “t o g et h er wit h all s u p p orti n g d o c u m e nts, ” wit hi n 9 0 d a ys of t h e c o m pl eti o n of dis c h ar g e. L a c ki n g f e d er al c as e l a w o n m ariti m e ti m e b ar pr o visi o ns, t h e p arti es r el y o n ar bitr al a w ar ds t o s u p p ort t h eir p ositi o ns. T h e ar bitr al p a n els, h o w e v er, d o n ot s u p p ort B ar n et M ari n e’s ar g u m e nt t h at a r e as o n a bl y i nt elli g e nt p ers o n w h o is c o g ni z a nt of i n d ustr y pr a cti c e c o ul d u n d erst a n d t h e p erti n e nt cl a us e i n t h e c h art er p art y t o all o w cl ai ms li k e B ar n et M ari n e ’s J a n u ar y 2 9 C l ai m. O nl y o n e of t h e ar bitr al d e cisi o n s dis c uss e d b y t h e p arti es all o w e d a d e m urr a g e cl ai m t o b e a m e n d e d o utsi d e of t h e p eri o d pr o vi d e d b y t h e r el e v a nt ti m e b ar cl a us e. S e e Cl ar e n d o n Lt d. v. C ari n a I nt’l S hi p pi n g C or p. , S M A Ar b. N o. 3 2 7 7 ( N Y J u n e 2 6, 1 9 9 6). I n Cl ar e n d o n , t h e v ess el o w n er a m e n d e d its d e m urr a g e cl ai m ( aft er t h e ti m e all o w e d b y t h e ti m e b ar pr o visi o n) t o i n cl u d e a d e m urr a g e p eri o d t h at it h a d n ot i n cl u d e d i n its ori gi n al, ti m el y c l ai m. T h e c h art er p art y at iss u e i n Cl ar e n d o n h a d a ti m e b ar cl a us e t h at st at e d , i n p art, t h at “ a n y d e m urr a g e cl ai m m ust b e r e c ei v e d wit h f ull s u p p orti n g d o c u m e nts wit hi n 5 0 d a ys of c o m pl eti o n of dis c h ar g e. ” 12 I d. at 6. T h e p a n el f o u n d, h o w e v er, t h at t h e a m e n d e d cl ai m w as “still ti m el y ” b e c a us e “ [t] h e d o c u m e nts pr e vi o usl y s u b mitt e d w o ul d h a v e b e e n t h e s a m e irr es p e cti v e” of w hi c h ti m e p eri o ds w er e i n cl u d e d i n t h e d e m urr a g e c al c ul ati o n. I d. In c o ntr ast t o t h e sit u ati o n i n Cl ar e n d o n Lt d ., t h e “a m e n d e d d e m urr a g e cl ai m ” r eli e d, at l e ast i n p art, o n diff er e nt d o c u m e nts t h a n t h e ori gi n al d e m urr a g e cl ai m. M ost n ot a bl y, t h e a m e n d e d cl ai m is pr e mis e d o n t h e A u g ust 6, 2 0 2 0 N O R, w hi c h w as n ot s u p pli e d “t o g et h er wit h ” t h e ori gi n al cl ai m as r e q uir e d b y t h e c h art er p art y. I n s h ort, Cl ar e n d o n t h us d o es n ot s u p p ort t h e c o n cl usi o n t h at B ar n et M ari n e ’s J a n u ar y 2 9 Cl ai m w as ti m el y.1 6 It is of n o m o m e nt t h at t h e d o c u m e nts i n s u p p ort of t h e a m e n d e d d e m urr a g e cl ai m w er e alr e a d y i n L a ur el ’s p oss essi o n. As a n i niti al m att er, t h e cl a us e i n t h e c h art er p art y u n a m bi g u o usl y r e q uir es s u p p orti n g d o c u m e nts t o b e s u b mitt e d “t o g et h er ” wit h t h e cl ai m , se e C h art er P art y, D kt. 9- 1 at 2 1, w hi c h w as n ot d o n e i n a ti m el y w a y h er e . R e a di n g t h e pr o visi o n i n t h e m a n n er pr o p os e d b y B ar n et M ari n e w o ul d pl a c e t h e b ur d e n o n c h art er er s t o s c a v e n g e t hr o u g h t h eir fil es u p o n r e c ei pt of a n o ut -of -ti m e cl ai m f or d e m urr a g e, w hi c h, as l o n g as a ti m el y cl ai m h a d b e e n m a d e, c o ul d, u n d er B ar n et M ari n e’s r e a di n g, b e m a d e l o n g aft er t h e a gr e e d -u p o n ti m e wi n d o w i n t h e c h art er p art y h a d cl os e d . S e e als o S e a T a n k ers O v ers e as Lt d. v. S c a n d p orts S hi p pi n g Lt d. , S M A Ar b. N o. 1 7 4 1, 1 9 8 2 W L 9 1 7 2 9 5 ( N Y O ct. 1 5, 1 9 8 2) ( “[ T] h e b ur d e n of pr e p ari n g t h e cl ai m r ests s ol el y wit h t h e O w n er, a n d t h e C h art er er is u n d er n o o bli g ati o n t o c al c ul at e ti m e us e d t o d et er mi n e if d e m urr a g e w as i n c urr e d or n ot. ” I d. at * 3. ). 16 13 A c c or di n gl y, t h e C o urt fi n ds t h at B ar n et M ari n e’s “ a m e n d e d ” d e m urr a g e cl ai m is b arr e d b y t h e c h art er p art y’s ti m e b ar cl a us e. 1 7 T h er ef or e, L a ur el ’s m oti o n f or p arti al j u dg m e nt o n t h e pl e a di n gs wit h r es p e ct t o t h at cl ai m is gr a nt e d. 1 8 C O N C L U SI O N F or t h e f or e g oi n g r e as o ns, L a ur el’s m oti o n t o v a c at e t h e att a c h m e nt is D E NI E D a n d its m oti o n f or p arti al j u d g m e nt o n t h e pl e a di n gs is G R A N T E D. B y n o l at er t h a n F ri d a y, A u g ust 5 , 2 0 2 2, B ar n et M ari n e m ust s u b mit a pr o p os e d a m e n d e d att a c h m e nt or d er, v a c ati n g t h e C o urt’s or d er at d o c k et e ntr y 1 1 a n d r e pl a ci n g it wit h a n or d er dir e cti n g t h e Cl er k of C o urt t o iss u e Pr o c ess of M ariti m e Att a c h m e nt a n d G ar nis h m e nt u p t o t he a m o u nt of $ 9 7, 5 0 0. 17 L a ur el s e p ar at el y ar g u es t h at, e v e n if B ar n et M ari n e’s a m e n d e d d e m urr a g e cl ai m w er e f o u n d t o b e ti m el y, it s h o ul d b e pr o hi bit e d b e c a us e it is b as e d o n w h at it c o nt e n ds is a n i n v ali d N O R. L a ur el c o nt e n ds t h at t h e A u g ust 6, 2 0 2 0 N O R w as i n v ali d b e c a us e t h e V ess el h a d n ot y et r e c ei v e d fr e e pr ati q u e w h e n t h e N O R w as t e n d er e d. M e m. of L a w, D kt. 3 8 at 1 7 – 2 1. B ar n et M ari n e ar g u es, h o w e v er, t h at L a ur el is li a bl e i n a n y e v e nt b e c a us e a s e p ar at e cl a us e i n t h e c h art er p art y, p ert ai ni n g t o t h e C O VI D-1 9 p a n d e mi c, e x c us e d t h e i n v ali dit y of t h e N O R. R es p., D kt. 4 9 at 1 9 – 2 3. T h e cl a us e at iss u e st at es, i n r el e v a nt p art, t h at “ti m e s h all c o u nt as us e d l a yti m e or ti m e o n d e m urr a g e w h er e v ali d N O R h as n ot b e e n t e n d er e d d u e t o d el a y i n o bt ai ni n g fr e e pr ati q u e as a r es ult of pr e c a uti o ns p ert ai ni n g t o t h e c or o n a vir us. ” C h art er P art y, D kt. 9 -1 at 4 5 . B ar n et M ari n e all e g es t h at t h e V ess el h a d n ot r e c ei v e d fr e e pr ati q u e o n A u g ust 6, 2 0 2 0 , b e c a us e it w as or d er e d i nt o q u ar a nti n e b y t h e H o n g K o n g a ut h oriti es aft er cr e w m e m b ers t est e d p ositi v e f or t h e c or o n a vir us. S e e A m e n d. C o m pl., D kt. 9 ¶ ¶ 1 9 – 3 9. B ar n et M ari n e c o ul d b e c orr e ct . P urs u a nt t o t h e c h art er p art y, “ pr e c a uti o ns p ert ai ni n g t o t h e c or o n a vir us ” c o ul d r e as o n a bl y b e u n d erst o o d t o i n cl u d e t h e q u ar a nti n e p eri o d i m p os e d o n t h e s hi p b e c a us e its cr e w m e m b ers t est e d p ositi v e f or t h e c or o n a vir us, t h er e b y e x c usi n g a n y i n v ali dit y ass o ci at e d wit h t h e A u g ust 6, 2 0 2 0 N O R. B ut b e c a us e t h e C o urt fi n ds t h at B ar n et M ari n e ’s J a n u ar y 2 9 Cl ai m w as n ot ti m el y, it n e e d n ot d e ci d e t his iss u e. 18 Gi v e n t h e C o urt’s fi n di n g t h at t h e J a n u ar y 2 9 Cl ai m w as u nti m el y, t h e o nl y d e m urr a g e cl ai m t h at r e m ai ns c o nt est e d i s t h e ori gi n al cl ai m, i n t h e a m o u nt of $ 9 7, 5 0 0. A c c or di n gl y, B ar n et M ari n e is o nl y e ntitl e d t o a n att a c h m e nt of L a ur el ’s f u n ds i n t h e distri ct u p t o t h at a m o u nt. 14 Dis c o v er y i n t his m att er is c urr e ntl y st a y e d. S e e Or d er, D kt. 4 8. B y n o l at er t h a n F ri d a y, A u g ust 5, 2 0 2 2 , t h e p arti es m ust s u b mit a j oi nt l ett er o n t h e f oll o wi n g t o pi cs : ( 1) a st at e m e nt d es cri bi n g t h e st at us of a n y s ettl e m e nt dis c ussi o ns a n d w h et h er t h e p arti es w o ul d li k e a r ef err al f or a s ettl e m e nt c o nf er e n c e wit h t h e assi g n e d M a gistr at e J u d g e or t o t h e C o urt-a n n e x e d m e di ati o n d e p art m e nt ; ( 2) if t h e p arti es ar e i nt er est e d i n s ettl e m e nt dis c ussi o ns, w h et h er t h e p arti es w o ul d li k e t h e C o urt t o lift or t o m ai nt ai n t h e dis c o v er y st a y; ( 3) if t h e p arti es w o ul d li k e t h e dis c o v er y st a y lift e d, a bri ef d es cri pti o n of t h e st at us of dis c o v er y a n d of a n y a d diti o n al dis c o v er y t h at n e e ds t o b e c o m pl et e d as w ell as pr o p os e d d e a dli n es f or t h e c o n cl usi o n of f a ct a n d e x p ert dis c o v er y. T h e Cl er k of C o urt is r es p e ctf ull y dir e ct e d t o t er mi n at e t h e o p e n m oti o ns at d o c k et e ntri es 3 3 a n d 3 6. S O O R D E R E D. D at e: J ul y 2 9, 2 0 2 2 N e w Y o r k, N Y _________________________________ V A L E RI E C A P R O NI U nit e d St at es Dist ri ct J u d g e 15

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