Oswaldo Tobar v. United States

OPINION

GRABER, Circuit Judge:

Patrolling in international waters, the United States Coast Guard suspected the crew of an Ecuadorian fishing boat of illicit activities. With the authorization of Ecuadorian authorities, the Coast Guard boarded the boat, searched for drugs, and towed the boat to Ecuador. The Ecuadorian crew, who are Plaintiffs here, allege that agents of Defendant United States harmed Plaintiffs and their property in violation of the Federal Tort Claims Act (“FTCA”), the Suits in Admiralty Act (“SAA”), and the Public Vessels Act (“PVA”). The district court held that the…