THE ferry operations resumed on Saturday after the federal court issued the release of the seized two ferries that carry passengers between Saipan and Tinian.
During Friday’s hearing, U.S. District Court Judge Alex R. Munson stated that the court would vacate the arrest of MV Saipan Express and MV Tinian Express without prejudice.
Munson, however, said the vessels should not leave the jurisdiction of the CNMI without the written approval of the court.
Munson also ordered the attorneys of both parties to meet and determine exactly what amount of money is owed.
The judge set a status conference for June 28 at 10 a.m.
Munson is expected to issue a written order.
Capt. J. Unterberg, the court-appointed vessel custodian, had informed the lawyer of plaintiff World Fame that the vessels had been released on Friday at 12:30 noon pursuant to the court’s order.
Rupert Hansen and G. Anthony Long, attorneys for ferry owner Tinian Shipping and Transportation, said the arrest of the ferries was improper.
Anita Arriola, counsel for World Fame Shipping Limited, opposed the release.
The U.S. Marshals seized last May 23 the ferries following the court’s issuance of warrants for the arrest of the vessels. The court authorized the issuance of warrants for the vessels based on a complaint filed by World Fame, a Hong Kong-based company which is claiming that Tinian Shipping failed to pay its debt.
Long said the arrest of the vessels caused great financial hardship to Tinian Shipping and its guarantors.
