Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-4_20-cv-01384/USCOURTS-cand-4_20-cv-01384-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 340
Nature of Suit: Marine Personal Injury
Cause of Action: Petition for limitation of liability

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPLAINT 

OF ROBERT E. KELLEY, SUCCESSOR 

CO-TRUSTEES AND BENEFICIARIES 

OF THE EUGENE N, KELLEY AND 

VERNA L. KELLEY REVOCABLE 

LIVING TRUST, AS OWNERS AND/OR 

OPERATORS OF THE VESSEL F/V MISS 

HAILEE, OFFICIAL NUMBER 524780, 

FROM EXONERATION FROM AND/OR 

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.

Case No. 20-cv-01384-HSG 

ORDER GRANTING EX PARTE 

MOTION AND DIRECTING NOTICE 

AND PUBLICATION TO INTERESTED 

PARTIES, AND ENJOINING 

PROSECUTION OF CLAIMS

Re: Dkt. No. 4

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Limitation of Liability Act, 46 U.S.C. §§ 30501 et seq. and 

Rules F(1) and F(2) of the Supplemental Rules for Certain Admiralty and Maritime Claims of the 

Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Robert E. Kelley and Richard E. Kelley, Successor Co-Trustees 

and Beneficiaries of the Eugene M. Kelley and Verna L. Kelley Revocable Living Trust 

(“Limitation Plaintiffs”), by and through their attorneys, Holmes Weddle & Barcott, have 

instituted a proceeding in this Court for limitation of and/or exoneration from liability as owners 

and/or operators of the vessel MISS HAILEE, official number 524780, (hereinafter the “Vessel”), 

with respect to an incident occurring on November 9, 2019, in which the Vessel sank; and

WHEREAS, Limitation Plaintiffs state that the Vessel sank; and

WHEREAS, Limitation Plaintiffs posted security for costs in the sum of $1,000.00, in 

accordance with the Admiralty and Maritime Local Rule 5-1, with interest thereon at the rate of 

six percent (6%) per annum from the date of the posting of security;

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED:

1. Limitation Plaintiffs assert that the Vessel sank;

2. Limitation Plaintiffs have complied with Supplemental Admiralty Rule F(1) and 

Case 4:20-cv-01384-HSG Document 17 Filed 05/12/20 Page 1 of 3
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

the Admiralty and Maritime Local Rule 5-1, by depositing security for costs in the amount of one 

thousand dollars ($1,000.00), plus interest at the rate of six percent (6%) from the date of security. 

Limitation Plaintiffs at this time do not need to deposit additional security for value with the 

Court. This ruling is WITHOUT PREJUDICE to the due appraisal of Limitation Plaintiffs’ 

interest in the Vessel and pending freight, and any claimant’s demand that the deposit or security 

be increased in accordance with Supplemental Admiralty Rule F(7);

3. Under Supplemental Admiralty Rule F(3), the prosecution of any and all suits, 

actions or proceedings of any nature or description whatsoever against Limitation Plaintiffs, their 

agents, servants or employees or against the Vessel, except in the present proceeding, in respect of 

any claim arising out of, occasioned by, consequent upon or otherwise connected with the 

aforesaid incident, or arising during the voyage upon which the Vessel was then engaged, are 

HEREBY STAYED AND RESTRAINED until such time as the Court determines whether to 

dissolve the injunction. Limitation Plaintiffs are ORDERED to serve a copy of this Order on the 

persons and other legal entities to be restrained, or their attorneys;

4. In accordance with Supplemental Admiralty Rule F(4), Limitation Plaintiffs shall

publish a copy of the following notice in the Fort Bragg Advocate – News for four consecutive

weeks starting the week of May 18, 2020, in substantially the form set forth below:

Notice to Interested Parties: Robert E. Kelley and Richard E. Kelley,

Successor Co-Trustees and Beneficiaries of Eugene M. Kelley and 

Verna L. Kelley Revocable Living Trust, owners and/or operators of 

the MISS HAILEE, official number 524780 (hereinafter “the 

Vessel”), an approximately 54.1 foot vessel of 48 gross tons, filed a 

Complaint pursuant to the Limitation of Liability Act, 46 U.S.C. 

§§ 30510 et seq., claiming the right to exoneration from and/or 

limitation of liability for all claims against it for injury, death, or other 

damage resulting from an incident occurring on November 9, 2019, 

in which the Vessel sank while being operated upon the navigable 

waters about 16 miles west of the Russian River, California.

Any person or legal entity who has or may have such a claim must,

on or before July 3, 2020, file it with the Clerk of Court, U.S. Federal 

District Court, Northern District of California, Oakland Division,

under the title “In re F/V MISS HAILEE” and Case No. 20-cv-1384. 

Any such claim must comply with the requirements of Rule F of the 

Supplemental Rules for Admiralty or Maritime Claims of the Federal 

Rules of Civil Procedure. A copy must also be served on or mailed 

to the plaintiff’s attorney, Michael A. Barcott, HOLMES WEDDLE 

Case 4:20-cv-01384-HSG Document 17 Filed 05/12/20 Page 2 of 3
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

& BARCOTT, 999 Third Ave., Suite 2600, Seattle, WA 98104.

Any claimant who desires to contest Robert E. Kelley’s and

Richard E. Kelley’s, Successor Co-Trustees and Beneficiaries of

Eugene M. Kelley and Verna L. Kelley Revocable Living Trust,

right to exoneration from and/or limitation of liability shall file and

serve an answer to the Complaint in the above-referenced matter

on or before July 17, 2020, unless such answer is included in the 

claim. This notice is published pursuant to the order of said Court, 

the Honorable Haywood. S. Gilliam, Jr., dated May 12, 2020, and 

Rule F(4) of the Supplemental Rules for Admiralty or Maritime 

Claims.

5. Limitation Plaintiffs shall, not later than the day of the second publication required 

in paragraph (4) above, mail copies of the Complaint and this Order to: (1) the last known address 

of those persons who are reported to have been injured as set forth in the Complaint, and to any 

attorneys known to represent them; and (2) to such other persons and other legal entities as are 

known to have any claim against the Limitation Plaintiffs or the Vessel and to any attorney known 

to represent them.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated:

______________________________________

HAYWOOD S. GILLIAM, JR.

United States District Judge

5/12/2020

Case 4:20-cv-01384-HSG Document 17 Filed 05/12/20 Page 3 of 3