First Bank v. Exodus

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 8 WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON AT TACOMA 9 10 FIRST BANK, CASE NO. 3:21-cv-05412-DGE 11 Plaintiff, ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S 12 v. MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT 13 EXODUS et al, 14 Defendant. 15 16 This matter comes before the Court on Plaintiff First Bank’s motion for summary 17 judgment. (Dkt. No. 21.) Having considered Plaintiff’s motion, Defendant’s response, 18 Plaintiff’s reply, the exhibits and declarations attached thereto, and the remainder of the record, 19 the Court GRANTS Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment. 20 I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND 21 On June 1, 2021, Plaintiff filed a complaint in this court alleging that Defendants 22 defaulted on a loan secured against Defendants’ vessel, the Exodus, and their fishing rights. 23 24 1 (Dkt. No. 1.) The Court granted Plaintiff’s motions to arrest the Exodus, appoint a substitute 2 custodian, and move, board, and inspect the vessel. (Dkt. Nos. 2, 3, 7, and 8.) 3 On November 11, 2021, Plaintiff filed the instant motion for summary judgment, arguing 4 that there is no factual dispute that Defendants’ loan is in default or that an unpaid balance 5 remains on the loan. (Dkt. No. 21.) Plaintiff asks the Court to enter judgment against 6 Defendants and default judgment against any third parties who may have an interest in 7 Defendants’ assets. (Id.) 8 Defendant objects to Plaintiff’s motion, arguing that: 1) Plaintiff has failed to establish 9 that they are entitled to the late fees included in Defendants’ unpaid balance, and Plaintiff has not 10 explained how it calculated these fees; and 2) the fishing rights (referred to in the parties’ briefs 11 as the “Individual Fishing Quota”) sought by Plaintiff are not “appurtenances” of a vessel that 12 would attach to the vessel itself, and could be used by Defendant on vessels other than the 13 Exodus; Defendants state that they have leased their fishing rights to be used by other vessels. 14 (Dkt. No. 25.) Defendant requests additional time, pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(f)1, to ascertain 15 how Plaintiff calculated the late fees included in the unpaid balance. (Id.) 16 II. STANDARD OF REVIEW 17 Summary judgment is appropriate where “the movant shows that there is no genuine 18 dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed. 19 R. Civ. P. 56(a); Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 247 (1986). Material facts are 20 those which might affect the outcome of the suit under governing law. (Id. at 248.) In ruling on 21 summary judgment, a court does not weigh evidence to determine the truth of the matter, but 22 “only determine[s] whether there is a genuine issue for trial.” Crane v. Conoco, Inc., 41 F.3d 23 24 1 Defendants clearly seeks relief pursuant to Rule 56(d), which was formerly Rule 56(f). 1 547, 549 (9th Cir. 1994) (citing Federal Deposit Ins. Corp. v. O'Melveny & Meyers, 969 F.2d 2 744, 747 (9th Cir. 1992)). 3 On a motion for summary judgment, the court views the evidence and draws inferences 4 in the light most favorable to the non-moving party. Anderson, 477 U.S. at 255; Sullivan v. U.S. 5 Dep't of the Navy, 365 F.3d 827, 832 (9th Cir. 2004). The Court must draw all reasonable 6 inferences in favor of the non-moving party. See O'Melveny & Meyers, 969 F.2d at 747, rev'd on 7 other grounds, 512 U.S. 79 (1994). However, the nonmoving party must make a “sufficient 8 showing on an essential element of her case with respect to which she has the burden of proof” to 9 survive summary judgment. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323 (1986). 10 While it is sufficient for the Plaintiff to establish that there is a genuine dispute 11 concerning a material fact, once the moving party has carried its burden under Federal Rule of 12 Civil Procedure 56, the party opposing the motion “must do more than simply show that there is 13 some metaphysical doubt as to the material facts.” Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio, 14 475 U.S. 574, 586 (1986). The opposing party cannot rest solely on her pleadings but must 15 produce significant, probative evidence in the form of affidavits, and/or admissible discovery 16 material that would allow a reasonable jury to find in her favor. Id. at n.11; Anderson v. Liberty 17 Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 249-50 (1986). 18 The nonmoving party “must produce at least some ‘significant probative evidence 19 tending to support the complaint.’” (Id.); see also California Architectural Building Products, 20 Inc. v. Franciscan Ceramics, Inc., 818 F.2d 1466, 1468 (9th Cir. 1987). (“No longer can it be 21 argued that any disagreement about a material issue of fact precludes the use of summary 22 judgment.”). 23 24 1 “If a party fails to properly support an assertion of fact or fails to properly address 2 another party’s assertion of fact as required by Rule 56(c), the court may . . . grant summary 3 judgment if the motion and supporting materials--including the facts considered undisputed-- 4 show that the movant is entitled to it[.]” Fed R. Civ. P. 56(e)(3). 5 III. DISCUSSION 6 A. Whether Defendants’ Fishing Rights Qualify as “Appurtenances”. 7 Defendants argues that their fishing rights are not “appurtenances” of the Exodus and 8 therefore should not be foreclosed upon along with the vessel. (Dkt. No. 25.) 9 A vessel is defined as the “hull and engines, tackle, apparel, and furniture of all kinds.” 10 The Augusta, 15 F.2d 727, 727 (E.D. La. 1920) (internal citation omitted). In addition to the 11 vessel, maritime liens also attach to the ship's “usual equipment ... and appurtenances.” The 12 Great Canton, 1924 A.M.C. 1074, 1075 (S.D. N.Y. 1924). 13 Black's Law Dictionary defines the word “appurtenance” as “[s]omething that belongs or 14 is attached to something else; esp[ecially], something that is part of something else that is more 15 important.” (11th ed. 2019). In the maritime context, the key inquiry into whether something is 16 an appurtenance is whether the item is “essential to the ship's navigation, operation, or mission.” 17 Gowen, Inc. v. F/V Quality One, 244 F.3d 64, 67-68 (1st Cir. 2001) (citing Gonzalez v. M/V 18 Destiny Panama, 102 F. Supp. 2d 1352, 1354 (S.D. Fla. 2000); United States v. F/V Sylvester F. 19 Whalen, 217 F.Supp. 916, 917 (D. Me. 1963)). 20 Authority from the United States Supreme Court and other circuits suggests that 21 intangible assets such as fishing rights can qualify as appurtenances in the maritime context. 22 United States v. Freights, Etc. of the Mount Shasta, 274 U.S. 466, 470, 47 S.Ct. 666, 71 L.Ed. 23 1156 (1927) (intangibles may be subject to maritime liens against the vessel); Gowen, 244 F.3d 24 1 at 67-68 (noting there is “no general objection to treating an intangible as an appurtenance”, and 2 when considering whether a fishing permit qualified as an appurtenance, noting that it was “the 3 rights themselves” rather than the physical permit itself that determined the market value and 4 creditworthiness of the vessel, as much as its engine, physical dimensions, and navigation 5 equipment.); see also Fuller Marine Services, Inc. v. F/V WESTWARD, No. 15-212, 2015 WL 6 5674828, at *2 (D. Me. Sept. 24, 2015) (citing the First Circuit’s reasoning in Gowen and noting 7 the “traditional rule” that maritime liens attach not only to the vessel but to any appurtenance 8 “which is essential to the vessel's mission.”); Offenbacher v. Ahart, No. 07-326, 2009 WL 9 523097, at *7 (D. Or. Feb. 25, 2009) (also adopting the Gowen court’s reasoning.) 10 There is some question concerning whether the First Circuit was correct in Gowen when 11 it found that fishing rights qualified as appurtenances. 1 Schoenbaum, Admiralty and Maritime 12 Law § 9–1 n. 47 (6th ed. 2021) (characterizing the First Circuit’s conclusion as “highly 13 questionable”). There is also some authority suggesting that liens against intangible assets 14 attached to one ship do not necessarily transfer to another. PNC Bank Delaware v. F/V Miss 15 Laura, 381 F.3d 183, 187 (3d Cir. 2004) (holding that a lien held against a vessel’s fishing 16 permits and history ceased once the vessel sank and the fishing history was transferred to a 17 replacement vessel.) 18 Even if Defendant’s fishing rights were not appurtenant to the Exodus, this case presents 19 somewhat different facts from those cited by the Court above. In Gowen, plaintiff sought to 20 recover debts owed for wharfage and repair, and the vessel in question was arrested pursuant to a 21 warrant commanding the seizure of “her equipment, engines, and appurtenances.” 244 F.3d 64, 22 65 (1st Cir. 2001). In PNC Bank Delaware, plaintiff’s provision of repair services entitled it, 23 24 1 under federal law, to a maritime lien “against the vessel and its appurtenances.” 381 F.3d 183, 2 185 (3d Cir. 2004) 3 In those cases, the courts had to ascertain whether certain assets counted among the 4 “appurtenances” that plaintiff was entitled to under maritime law. The present case presents no 5 such ambiguity, as the security agreements between the parties explicitly list Defendants’ fishing 6 rights among the collateral used to secure the loan. (Dkt. Nos. 1-1; 1-5; 1-6.) 7 Accordingly, even if the fishing rights in question were not appurtenances to the Exodus, 8 there is no genuine dispute of material fact that Defendants specifically included their fishing 9 rights as collateral to secure the loans from First Bank. Bank of the Pac. v. F/V ZOEA, No. 3:15- 10 CV-05758-RBL, 2017 WL 823298 at *2 (W.D. Wash. Mar. 2, 2017) (finding that ship mortgage 11 lenders can have a security interest in Washington commercial fishing permits appurtenant to a 12 mortgaged vessel.) 13 B. Plaintiff’s Calculation of Late Fees. 14 Defendant contends that Plaintiff has failed to establish that it is entitled to the late fees 15 included in Defendants’ unpaid balance, and that Plaintiff has not explained how it calculated 16 these fees. (Dkt. No. 25.) Defendant requests additional time, pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(d), 17 to ascertain how Plaintiff calculated the late fees included in the unpaid balance. (Id.) 18 Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(d) provides that if the nonmoving party subject to a motion for 19 summary judgment shows by affidavit or declaration that, for specified reasons, it cannot present 20 facts essential to justify its opposition, the court may: 21 (1) defer considering the motion or deny it; 22 (2) allow time to obtain affidavits or declarations or to take discovery; or 23 (3) issue any other appropriate order. 24 1 Here, Defendants Fred J. Hankins and Christina Hankins submitted declarations in response to 2 Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment. (Dkt. Nos. 26 and 27.) The Hankins’ declarations 3 discuss their history in the fishing industry, their purchase of the Exodus, and the circumstances 4 that left them unable to repay their bank loans. (Id.) Neither declaration contains information 5 relevant to Defendants’ contention concerning Plaintiff’s calculation of, or entitlement to, late 6 fees. 7 A party requesting a continuance pursuant to [Rule 56(d)] must identify by affidavit the 8 specific facts that further discovery would reveal, and explain why those facts would preclude 9 summary judgment. Tatum v. City & County of S.F., 441 F.3d 1090, 1100 (9th Cir. 2006). 10 Failure to comply with the requirements of Rule [56(d)] is a proper ground for denying discovery 11 and proceeding to summary judgment. Brae Transp., Inc. v. Coopers & Lybrand, 790 F.2d 12 1439, 1443 (9th Cir.1986). A failure to provide an affidavit or declaration stating with 13 particularity the information a nonmoving party seeks to obtain through discovery can be fatal to 14 a request for a continuance filed pursuant to Rule 56(d). In re Silicon Graphics Inc. Sec. Litig., 15 183 F.3d 970, 989 (9th Cir. 1999). 16 The declarations submitted by Defendants do not contain any specific information 17 concerning late fees. Further, Defendants’ request for a continuance so they can determine 18 whether Plaintiff is entitled to late fees and how Plaintiff calculated these fees appears to be 19 unnecessary since both Plaintiff’s entitlement to these fees and the method for calculating them 20 are spelled out in the promissory note Defendants signed in connection with their loan 21 agreement. (Dkt. No. 1-3.) The Court also notes that in response to Defendants’ contention 22 regarding late fees, Plaintiff has submitted declarations from First Bank officers describing in 23 detail the accrual of late fees since the loan initially went into default in 2013. (Dkt. Nos. 22, 29 24 1 and 30.) Accordingly, there remains no genuine issue of material fact concerning Plaintiff’s 2 entitlement to late fees or Defendants’ fishing rights, and Plaintiff is entitled to summary 3 judgment. 4 IV. ORDER 5 Having considered Plaintiff’s motion, Defendants’ Response, Plaintiff’s Reply, the 6 exhibits and declarations attached thereto, and the remainder of the record, the Court finds and 7 ORDERS: 8 (1) That Plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment (Dkt. No. 21.) is GRANTED. 9 (2) That First Bank shall have judgment in rem against Defendant EXODUS, Official 10 No. 960616, its Engines, Machinery, Appurtenances, etc. including the Fishing Rights defined in 11 the parties’ security agreement as 12 Sablefish Individual Fishing Quotas: 358,880 I.F.Q. Units designated as: S-WY- B-U-1,364,783,385 through S-WY-B-U-1,365.142,264 and 148,864 I.F.Q. Units 13 designated as: S-CG-B-U-241,412,721 through S-CG-B-U-241,561,584, Halibut Individual 'Fishing Quotas: '122,118 I.F.Q. Units, designated as: H-38-B-U- 14 820,289,433 through H-3B-B-U-820,411,550, 69,492 I.F.Q Units, designated as: H-3B-B-B-820,219,941 through H-36-13-8-820,289,432 and 55,026 I.F.Q. 15 Units, designated as: H-3B-C-U-908,130,233 through H-3B-C-U-908,185,258. 16 (3) That First Bank shall have judgment in personam against Defendants Fred J. 17 Hankins and FJ Hankins Enterprises, Inc. for the principal amount of $810,635.10, along with late 18 charges of $46,913.90, interest through November 8, 2021 of $98,523.60, interest until the date of 19 judgment at a rate of $133.26 per day, as well as Plaintiff’s reasonable attorneys’ fees, arrests 20 costs, and other expenses of collection. 21 (4) That, due to the failure by any non-party to appear in this action or assert a claim 22 against, or interest in, the vessel EXODUS, default and default judgment shall be entered against 23 all third parties, and the vessel shall be sold free of any claims or liens. 24 1 (5) That the preferred ship mortgage in favor of the Plaintiff on the Vessel is foreclosed 2 and that any and all persons claiming any interest in the Vessel are forever barred and foreclosed 3 of and from all rights of equity or redemption or claim to the Vessel; 4 (6) That First Bank’s security interest in the Fishing Rights as described above shall be 5 foreclosed, permitting First Bank to possess, convey, and sell those Fishing Rights in accordance 6 with applicable law; 7 (7) That the U.S. Marshal shall, pursuant to Supplemental Rule E(9) and LAR 150, 8 cause the Vessel and the Fishing Rights to be sold in accordance with the law, either together or 9 separately, at the election of Plaintiff; 10 (8) That the proceeds of the sale should be applied to pay 11 a. The Marshal’s costs of administration, and 12 b. The in rem claims of the Plaintiff against the Vessel and Fishing Rights in the 13 amount of $956,072.60, which includes principal and interest as calculated 14 through November 8, 2021 and late fees, with interest accruing in the amount of 15 $133.26 per day, and 16 c. The in personam claims of the Plaintiff against Fred J. Hankins, in the amount of 17 $956,072.60, which includes principal and interest as calculated through 18 November 8, 2021 and late fees, with interest accruing in the amount of $133.26 19 per day, and 20 d. The in personam claims of the Plaintiff against FJ Hankins Enterprises, Inc. in the 21 amount of $956,072.60, which includes principal and interest as calculated 22 through November 8, 2021 and late fees, with interest accruing in the amount of 23 $133.26 per day, and 24 1 e. First Bank’s reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs to be assessed by further order 2 this Court and provided in paragraph (10) below, and 3 f. Past and future substitute custodian fees, moorage, and related fees as documented 4 with the U.S. Marshal and calculated to the date of the sale. 5 (9) That the Plaintiff shall be permitted to bid all or part of its judgment hereunder without 6 cash deposit. 7 (10) That within 14 days of the date of this Order, Plaintiff shall submit a Bill of Fees 8 and Costs, summarizing its attorneys’ fees, costs, and other expenses in connection 9 with this action. The Court shall thereafter, without further motion, assess reasonable 10 fees and costs. 11 (11) That, after the Court’s assessment of fees and costs, the Court shall issue judgment 12 in personam against Defendants Fred J Hankins and FJ Hankins Enterprises in the 13 amount of $956,072.60, with interest accruing in the amount of $133.26 per day from 14 November 8, 2021 to the date of judgment, as well as all attorneys’ fees, costs, and 15 expenses as assessed by the Court. 16 (12) That, within 30 days after the Marshal’s sale of the Vessel and Fishing Rights, 17 Plaintiff shall report the results of the sale(s) to the Court and, if any portion of the 18 judgment was used to credit bid, the in personam judgment authorized herein shall be 19 partially satisfied to account for the bid amount. 20 Dated this 22nd day of March, 2022. 21 22 A 23 David G. Estudillo United States District Judge 24