THE federal court ordered the closure of the case against Imperial Pacific International LLC, its parent company IPI Holdings Ltd., and Pride Keen Ltd., regarding the salvaging costs for their yacht, the Grand Mariana.
Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona of the District Court for the NMI dismissed the complaint with prejudice following a stipulation of dismissal from the parties.
“Each party shall bear its own costs and fees, including attorneys’ fees,” the judge said as she vacated all dates and deadlines.
The stipulation of dismissal was signed by attorneys Eric Kaufman-Cohen and Frank J. Anders who represented the U.S. Department of Justice, and the owners of Grand Mariana represented by attorneys Kevin T. Abikoff, Samuel W. Salyer, and Joey P. San Nicolas.
The complaint filed by USDOJ-Aviation, Space and Admiralty pertained to the Grand Mariana’s removal costs incurred in responding to the potential threat of oil spill after Super Typhoon Yutu made landfall in the Northern Marianas in Oct. 2018.
The lawsuit sought to recover $1.39 million from the owners of the yacht who were sued for liability under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990.
The court previously entered a default judgment against the defendants for failing to file an answer to the USDOJ complaint.
On Jan. 10, 2022, Judge Manglona granted the stipulation of the parties to set aside the entry of default against the defendants in the case.
