Legal Definitions - Ship Mortgage Act

The Ship Mortgage Act is a federal law that governs mortgages on ships that are registered as U.S. vessels. The law provides for the enforcement of maritime liens in favor of those who provide supplies or maintenance to the vessels.

For example, if a company provides fuel or repairs to a ship, they may have a maritime lien on the vessel. This means that if the ship owner fails to pay for the services, the company can take legal action to enforce the lien and potentially seize the ship to satisfy the debt.

The Ship Mortgage Act is important for the maritime industry because it helps to ensure that suppliers and service providers are able to recover the costs of their work. It also provides a framework for ship owners to obtain financing by using their vessels as collateral for loans.