Opinion ID: 779336
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: On the Order of the Owner

Text: 48 Whether the services provided by Ventura Packers were provided on the order of the owner or a person authorized by the owner also remains a matter vigorously disputed. That Ventura Packers contracted with IFC is beyond question. The Ships claim, however, that IFC had no authority to act as their agent, and thus, the necessaries provided to the Ships were not on the order of the Owners. 49 The IFC Articles of Incorporation designate IFC as a common marketing agency for its members, and deposition testimony suggests that IFC members understood that IFC would act as their agent in procuring goods and services essential to the 1996-97 squid fishing season. Even if IFC was not authorized to act as the Owners' agent, the Owners themselves authorized many of Ventura Packers' services. On numerous occasions, the Owners verbally requested service from Ventura Packers en route to port, and many of the California fish tickets bear the signature of the Ships' owners and masters. The Owners argue, on the other hand, that IFC acted as a nonprofit organization that purchased fish from its members, resold the fish to third persons with an eye towards negotiating the best price possible, and distributed the profits, if any, back to its members. The district court found the IFC Articles of Incorporation supported this view as well. 50 We, therefore, leave for the trier of fact to decide whether Ventura Packers provided the Ships with goods and services on the order of the owner or a person authorized by the owner. This inquiry will determine whether there is admiralty jurisdiction and whether Ventura Packers prevails on the merits.