Floro Herrera Medina (Master), Sergio Aros v. Marvirazon Compania Naviera, S.A., Doctor Elias J. Tsavaris, Intervenor

The only issue in this case is whether the master was clearly erroneous in finding that appellant, Dr. Tsavaris, was not entitled to a seaman’s wage lien against the vessel, M/V Constantinos. The district court, 533 F.Supp. 1279, affirmed the master’s finding, as do we.

The law in this area is well-settled. Generally speaking, one who advances funds used to discharge seamen’s wage liens is subrogated to the lienors’ rights. Sasportes v. M/V Sol de Copacabana, 581 F.2d 1204, 1207 (5th Cir.1978); G. Gilmore & C Black, The Law of Admiralty §§ 9-20, 9-21 (2d ed. 1975); 2 Benedict on Admiralty, §§…