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a preferred mortgage covering a U.S. documented vessel, Pub.L. 104-324 opens the opportunity to seek financing worldwide without need for approval by the Secretary. As a consequence, both the provi- sion providing for establishment of 'Westhampton Trusts' to obtain sim- ilar financing and all references thereto or to mortgages generally under section 9(c) of the 1916 Act (transfers requiring Secretary approval) have been repealed or eliminated as no longer required. Extrajudicial Remedies Upon Default of Preferred Mortgages In an effort to resolve conflicting case law and uncertainties regard- ing the use of extra-judicial reme- dies, Congress expressly permitted their use in addition to judicial remedies of an in rem action against the vessel or a civil action in personam against the mortgagor. This change corrects the situation that has existed since 1985 as a result of the decision in Bank of America National Trust and Savings Assoc. v Fogle, 637 F.Supp. 305 (N.D. Cal. 1985)(holding that the in rem remedy provided by statute indicated a Congressional intent to preclude such "self help"), where a mortgagee was forced to seek judicial relief even though repossession and sale could have been accomplished without court involvement (particularly where a recreational vessel was involved). The new provision does, however, raise some additional questions, particularly regarding the ability of a second or third mortgagee to fore- close on vessel assets without knowledge of the first preferred mortgagee. Vessel Financing Practices Of Other Countries Section 1113(f) of Pub.L. 104-324 further tasks the Secretary of Transportation with studying and reporting on the methods for leas- ing, demise chartering, and financ- ing of vessels operating in the coastal trades of other countries and whether the laws of those other countries provide reciprocity for U.S. banks, leasing companies, and other financial institutions with respect to the rights granted foreign institutions in the preceding changes. This report is required to be submitted to Congress by October 1997, so the changes dis- cussed above may only be the first wave of change to U.S. laws in these areas. For more information on these laws Circle 2 on Reader Service Card (yWe/fra/i/u, f/cj /JII jyea/w OF QUALITY SERVICE TO THE MARINE INDUSTRY P.O. Box 250 • 8365 Highway 308 South « Lockport, LA 70374 » Phone: 504/532-2554 « Fox: 504/532-7225 Circle 210 on Reader Service Card Designer & Builder of America's*Most Popular Small Cruise Ships mm?*0 Full Engineering Capabilities • Skilled, Dedicated Craftsmanship Innovative Design Features • Lift dock (350-ton capacity) Capt. Blount • Complete Construction Plans • Hull repair facility for 300 Vessels • Low Prices/Fast Delivery Experience Blount's Quality BLOUNT INDUSTRIES INC. 461 Water Street • Warren, RI 02885-0368 • USA Phone: 401-245-8300 Fax: 401-245-8303 Circle 216 on Reader Service Card (Sh^MfeEi} Orange CHOCKING SYSTEM • maintains permanent alignment of ship engines and equipment installed above or below decks • prevents corrosion, fretting and damage from engine movement • simplifies installation of sterntube, strut, pintle and rudder bearings Approved by all major engine manufacturers, regulatory agencies and fleet vessel owners. " We consider Chockfast the greatest investment in engine security and maintenance economy ever made to our ships." E. Cherry, Tech. Director, Ropner Mgmt. Ltd. /^Philadelphia Resins P.O. Box 309, Montgomeryville, PA 18936 215/855-8450 Fax 215/855-4688 complete family of chocking, coating and repair compounds Circle 286 on Reader Service Card December, 1996 57
