Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_15-cv-00692/USCOURTS-cand-3_15-cv-00692-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 120
Nature of Suit: Marine Contract Actions
Cause of Action: 46:688 Jones Act

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United States District Court

Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

JOSEPH ROBERT SPOONER,

Plaintiff,

v.

ORACLE RACING, INC., et al.,

Defendants.

Case No. 15-cv-00692-JCS 

ORDER TO FILE SUPPLEMENTAL 

MATERIALS REGARDING VESSEL 

ARREST WARRANT

Re: Dkt. No. 1

Plaintiff Joseph Robert Spooner brings this admiralty action for wages that he alleges he is 

entitled to under contract as a crew member on a racing yacht. Spooner asks the Court to issue a 

warrant to arrest the vessel 4 Oracle Team USA, a hydrofoiling AC45-class racing catamaran, 

based on a preferred maritime lien for seaman’s wages, see 46 U.S.C. § 31301(5)(D), and 

necessaries, see id. §§ 31301(4), 31342. The Court has reviewed Spooner’s Complaint (dkt. 1) 

and Notice of Request for Review (dkt. 1-4), and hereby ORDERS Spooner to file an additional 

memorandum of points and authorities and declarations necessary to show that he is entitled to a

vessel arrest warrant. Spooner should address any relevant issues bearing on whether a warrant 

should issue, including but not limited to the following: (1) whether it is proper for the Court to 

review whether a complaint sufficiently states a claim before issuing an arrest warrant for a vessel; 

(2) if so, whether Spooner’s Complaint sufficiently alleges that Defendant Oracle Racing, Inc. 

(“Oracle Racing”) lacked authority to terminate Spooner’s contract; and (3) whether wrongful 

termination of an employment contract—as opposed to nonpayment of wages for work already 

completed—gives rise to a maritime lien in these circumstances. Spooner’s supplemental 

submission(s) must be filed no later than 10:00 AM PST on Friday, February 20, 2015.

The Court has been contacted by counsel for Oracle Racing, who indicated that Oracle 

Racing wishes to oppose Spooner’s request for a warrant. Oracle Racing may file a brief opposing 

Case 3:15-cv-00692-JCS Document 6 Filed 02/17/15 Page 1 of 2
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United States District Court

Northern District of California

the issuance of a warrant no later than 10:00 AM PST on Friday, February 20, 2015.

1

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: February 17, 2015

______________________________________

JOSEPH C. SPERO

Chief Magistrate Judge

 

1

The Court will consider extending the briefing schedule either (1) by stipulation of the parties; or 

(2) if Oracle Racing consents to a temporary restraining order requiring the vessel to remain 

within this district until the Court determines whether an arrest warrant should issue.

Case 3:15-cv-00692-JCS Document 6 Filed 02/17/15 Page 2 of 2