Jacob Schuurman and Federal Insurance Company v. The Motor Vessel "Betty K V", Her Engines, Tackle, Etc., in Rem, and Doric Navigation, in Personam

This appeal presents an issue of importance to the filing of appeals in the Eleventh Circuit: When is a judgment that dismisses a complaint but allows a plaintiff a stated period within which he may amend the complaint final for purposes of appeal?

FACTS

This admiralty action arose out of a collision which occurred in Bahamian territorial waters between plaintiff’s yacht “Spendthrift,” a vessel of Florida registry, and defendant’s boat “Betty K V,” a vessel of Panamanian registry.1 The plaintiff *444brought this negligence claim in district court as a result of the sinking of the plaintiff’s yacht…