KEYNVOR MORLIFT LTD AND OTHERS V THE VESSEL “KUZMA MININ”, HER BUNKERS STORES AND FREIGHT AT RISK (IF ANY)

[2019] EWHC 3557 (Admlty), Queen’s Bench Division, Admiralty Court, Admiralty Registrar Jervis Kay QC, 19 December 2019

Admiralty – In rem claim – Salvage – MAIB report as evidence – Salved value – International Convention on Salvage 1989 – Merchant Shipping Act 1995, section 224 – CPR Part 61

In this admiralty claim in rem against the vessel Kuzma Minin, her bunkers, stores and freight at risk, three claimants sought remuneration of £550,000 for salvage services performed following her grounding at Falmouth, or a quantum meruit, and had applied for judgment in default of acknowledgement of service. The claimants’ claim had been served by affixing it to the vessel’s bridge window. The vessel had been sold by the Admiralty Marshal and US$1,003,000 had been paid into court. Total claims exceeded that sum. Other claimants, in particular the mortgaging bank, challenged elements of the salvage claim put forward.