JAN j 6 2010 - United States District Court

have, or claims to have, a possessory interest in the property.
The party seeking entry of default judgment under Local Rule C(8)3(h) may be
excused for failing to give notice to such "other person" upon a satisfactory
showing that diligent effort was made to give notice without success,- and
f(3) Publication as required by Supplemental Rule C(4) and Local Admiralty
Rule C(4)3(d).
Upon review of the motion, memorandum, and other proof, the Clerk of the Court
may, where appropriate, enter default in accordance with Federal Rule of Civil
Procedure 55. Thereafter, the Clerk of the Court shall serve notice of the
entry of default upon all parties represented in the action.
494-(i) Procedural Requirements for the Entry of Default Judgment. Not later
than thirty (30) days following notice of the entry of default, the moving
party shall file a motion, and supporting legal documents, for the entry of
default judgment pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 55(b). The moving
party may also file as exhibits for the motion such other documentation as may
be required to support the entry of default judgment. Thereafter the Court
will consider the motion as indicated below:
f(1) When No Person Has Filed a Claim or Answer. Unless otherwise ordered by
the Court, the motion for default judgment will be considered by the Court
without oral argument.
-ftef (2) When Any Person Has Filed an Appearance, But Does Not Join in the Motion
for Entry of Default Judgment. If any person has filed an appearance in
accordance with Local Admiralty Rule C(6) 3 (f) , but does not join in the motion
for entry of default judgment, the party seeking the entry of default judgment
shall serve notice of the motion upon the party not joining in the motion, and
thereafter the opposing party shall have five seven (7) days from receipt of
the notice to file written opposition with the Court.
If the Court grants the motion and enters the default judgment, such judgment
shall establish a right on the part of the party or parties in whose favor it
is entered. The judgment shall be considered prior to any claims of the owner
of the defendant property against which it is entered, and to the remnants and
surpluses thereof; providing, however, that such a judgment shall not
establish any entitlement to the defendant property having priority over
non-possessory lien claimants. Obtaining a judgment by default shall not
preclude the party in whose favor it is entered from contending and proving
that all, or any portion, of the claim or claims encompassed within the
judgment are prior to any such non-possessory lien claims.
Effective Dec. 1, 1994. Amended effective April 15, 1998; April 15, 2000;
April 15, 2001; April 15, 2007.
Advisory Notes
(1993) C(2). Well reasoned authority has upheld Supplemental Rule C,
specifically holding that a pre-seizure judicial hearing is not required where
a vessel, freight, or intangible property is proceeded against to enforce a
maritime lien. Amstar Corporation v. S S Alexandros T, 664 F.2d 904 (4th
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