Preferred Maritime Lien

Preferred Maritime Lien in Maritime Law

Note: There is more information on maritime/admiralty law here.

The following is a definition of Preferred Maritime Lien, produced by Tetley, in the context of admiralty law: A category of maritime lien (see this maritime law term in this legal dictionary) under the American Commercial Instruments and Maritime Liens Act (46 U.S. Code 31301(5)), including (contract) maritime liens arising before the filing of apreferred mortgage (see this maritime law term in this legal dictionary) on the ship; as well as liens for damage, wages of stevedores employed directly, crew wages, general average (see this maritime law term in this legal dictionary) and salvage (see this maritime law term in this legal dictionary). (Preferred maritime liens rank after expenses and fees allowed by the court (custodia legis) (see this maritime law term in this legal dictionary) and court costs, and before preferred mortgage liens (see this maritime law term in this legal dictionary). See 46 U.S. Code 31326(1); Tetley, M.L.C., 2 Ed., 1998 at pp. 873-875 (re ranking); Tetley, In’tl. M. & A. L., 2003 at pp. 483-484.