MARINA DEVELOPMENTS LTD V OWNER(S) OF SY EXPLORER

[2024] EWHC 3531 (Admlty), King's Bench Division, Admiralty Court, Admiralty Registrar Davison, 20 December 2024

Admiralty – Berthing fees – Vessel under arrest following failure to pay berthing fees – Agreement on payment of fees – Whether owner having signed on behalf of a company – Vessel's liability for dock dues – Meaning of "in connection with a ship" – Senior Courts Act 1981, sections 20 and 21

The defendant's vessel SY Explorer was under arrest following the non-payment of berthing fees at MDL's marina in Southampton in connection with an international race in 2023.