Veverica v. Drill Barge Buccaneer No. 7

BELL, Circuit Judge:

This appeal involves the validity and ranking of claims on sale proceeds of a vessel seized in rem. Under the lower court’s judgment there would remain for *882the owner,1 after payment of costs and lien claims deemed valid, about $17,000 of the $50,000 proceeds. We affirm in part and reverse in part, ruling that appellant, a contract salvor who has lost his maritime lien, may take remnants and surplus ahead of the owner.

The Buccaneer #7 is a floating drill barge which capsized and partially sank in shallow inland waters in May, 1970. In late June, 1970, appellant entered an…