(b) Pre-seizure Requirements: In accordance with Supplemental Rule (C)(3), the process of arrest in rem shall issue only after one of the following conditions has been met:
If the Court finds that probable cause exists for an action in rem, plaintiff shall prepare an order for the Court's signature directing the Clerk to issue a warrant of arrest and/or summons. This order shall substantially conform in format and content to the form identified as MDF 702 in the Appendix to these Local Admiralty Rules.
Upon receipt of the signed order, the Clerk shall file the order and, in accordance with Local Admiralty Rule 7.03(b)(3) issue the warrant of arrest and/or summons. Thereafter the Clerk may issue supplemental process without further order of the Court.
(2) Certification of Exigent Circumstances: If the plaintiff files a written certification that exigent circumstances make review by the Court impracticable, the Clerk shall, in accordance with Local Admiralty Rule 7.03(b)(3), issue a warrant of arrest and/or summons.
Thereafter at any post-arrest proceedings under Supplemental Rule (E)(4)(f) and Local Admiralty Rule 7.03(g), plaintiff shall have the burden of showing that probable cause existed for the issuance of process, and that exigent circumstances existed which precluded judicial review in accordance with Local Admiralty Rule 7.03(b)(1).
(3) Preparation and Issuance of the Warrant of Arrest and/or Summons: Plaintiff shall prepare the warrant of arrest and/or summons, and deliver them to the Clerk for filing and issuance.
The warrant of arrest shall substantially conform in format and content to the form identified as MDF 703 in the Appendix to these Local Admiralty Rules, and shall in all cases give adequate notice of the post-arrest provisions of Local Admiralty Rule 7.03(g).
(B) Deliver or pay over to the Marshal, the freight, proceeds, and/or intangible property, or a part thereof, sufficient to satisfy plaintiff's claim. The summons shall also inform the person having control of the freight, proceeds, and/or intangible property that service of the summons has the effect of arresting the property, thereby preventing the release, disposal or other distribution of the property without prior order of the Court.
The claim shall be served upon the plaintiff, Marshal, and all other parties to the litigation. Additionally, the claimant shall file a Certificate of Service indicating the date and manner in which service was perfected.
(3) Delivery or Payment of the Freight, Proceeds, and/or Intangible Property to the U. S. Marshal: Unless a claim is filed in accordance with Supplemental Rule (E)(4)(f), and Local Admiralty Rule 7.03(f)(1), any person served with a summons issued pursuant to Local Admiralty Rule 7.03(b)(1) or (2), shall within fourteen (14) days after execution of service, deliver or pay over to the Marshal all, or part of, the freight, proceeds, and/or intangible property sufficient to satisfy plaintiff's claim.
Unless otherwise ordered by the Court, the person tendering control of the freight, proceeds, and/or intangible property shall be excused from any further duty with respect to the property in question.
(2) Proof of Publication: Plaintiff shall file with the Clerk, proof of publication not later than fourteen (14) days following the last day of publication. It shall be sufficient proof for the plaintiff to file the sworn statement by, or on behalf of, the publisher or editor, indicating the dates of publication, along with a copy or reproduction of the actual publication.
The undertaking shall be referred to under the name of the vessel or other property in any pleading, order, or judgment; providing, however, that the undertaking shall only respond to orders or judgments in favor of the party accepting the undertaking, and any parties expressly named therein, to the extent of the benefit thereby conferred.
(f) Time for Filing Claim or Answer: Unless otherwise ordered by the court, any claimant of property subject to an action in rem shall:
(2) Serve his answer within twenty-one (21) days after the filing of the claim.
Additionally, if the seizure was predicated upon a showing of "exigent circumstances" under Local Admiralty Rule 7.03(b)(2), and the court finds that such exigent circumstances did not exist, the court shall award attorneys' fees, costs and other expenses incurred by any party as a result of the seizure.
(h) Procedural Requirements Prior to the Entry of Default: In accordance with Rule 55, Fed.R.Civ.P. and Local Rule 1.07(b), a party seeking the entry of default in rem shall first file a motion and supporting legal memorandum in accordance with Local Rule 3.01.
The party seeking the entry of default shall also file such other proof sufficient to demonstrate that due notice of the action and arrest have been given by:
(2) Delivery, or by certified mail, return receipt requested (or international effective equivalent), to every other person, including any known owner, who has not appeared or intervened in the action, and who is known to have, or claims to have, a possessory interest in the property.
The party seeking entry of default judgment under Local Admiralty Rule 7.03(i) 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
(3) Publication as required by Supplemental Rule (C)(4) and Local Admiralty Rule 7.03(d).
Upon review of the motion, memorandum, and other proof, the Clerk, may, where appropriate, enter default in accordance with Rule 55, Fed.R.Civ.P.. Thereafter, the Clerk shall serve notice of the entry of default upon all parties represented in the action.
(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 7.03(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 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 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.
