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HomeHarbors and Navigation CodeDiv. 3Ch. 2Art. 3§ 491 Vessel Liability And Liens

§ 491 Vessel Liability And Liens

Harbors and Navigation Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 491 Vessel Liability And Liens

This law lets people place a legal claim on a ship to get paid for things like work done, supplies, repairs, wharf fees, broken transport contracts, or injuries that happen in the state.

Key Takeaways

  • •Ships can be liened for services, supplies, repairs, wharfage, broken transport contracts, and injuries.
  • •These liens stay valid for only one year after the claim arises.
  • •The liens have priority over other debts owed by the ship owner.

Example

A boat owner hires a crew to fix the engine, buys fuel for the boat, and later the boat damages a dock while docking.

The crew can claim unpaid repair bills, the fuel seller can claim the fuel cost, and the dock owner can claim damage costs by putting a lien on the boat. These claims must be filed within one year and get paid before other debts.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 491 Vessel Liability And Liens

All vessels are liable for: (a) Services rendered on board at the request of, or under contract with, their respective owners, masters, agents, or consignees. (b) Supplies furnished in this State for their use, at the request of their respective owners, masters, agents, or consignees. (c) Work done or materials furnished in this State for their construction, repair, or equipment. (d) Their wharfage and anchorage within this State. (e) Breach of any contract for the transportation of persons or property between places within this State, made by their respective owners, masters, agents, or consignees. (f) Injuries caused by them to persons or property, in this State. Demands for these several causes constitute liens upon all vessels, have priority in the order enumerated, and have preference over all other demands; but such liens only continue in force for the period of one year from the time the cause of action accrued. (Enacted by Stats. 1937, Ch. 368.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

vesselslienspriorityone year

Related Statutes

  • § 490 Vessel Debt Liens
  • § 268 Local Vessel Operation Permits
  • § 4080 Harbor Improvement Bond Funding
  • § 4081 Harbor Development Control
  • § 4086 Harbor Improvement Progress Reports

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Harbors and Navigation Code. Section 491.
View Official Source