General Electric Credit & Leasing Corporation v. Drill Ship Mission Exploration, in Rem, Foods and Services, Inc., Claimant-Appellant

TATE, Circuit Judge:

A vessel was seized and sold upon foreclosure of a preferred ship mortgage. 46 U.S.C. §§ 951-54. The present appeal stems from proceedings to rank liens. The contest is between the seizing mortgage creditor (“General Electric”) and an intervenor (“Foods Services”) presenting claims advanced as priming the seizing creditor’s right to the proceeds. Foods Services appeals from the denial of its claimed priority. Finding (a) that the intervenor’s preseizure claims must be recognized as preferred maritime liens as advances of crew wages and (b) that the intervenor’s…