Lien When?

• A. When the work begins.
• B. At the time a written statement is sent to the owner for charges.
• C. When the owner pays in advance.
• D. When the vessel is registered.

Answer: (B)

The right concept here is that a lien on a vessel for repairs or materials attaches when the owner is formally billed for charges. Once a written statement of charges is sent to the owner, there is a defined debt acknowledgment, and the lien can secure payment for the work or materials provided. Merely starting work doesn’t establish the lien by itself, because the owner could dispute charges or the amount; paying in advance would eliminate the debt and thus remove any lien; and registering the vessel has no direct bearing on securing payment for repairs. So the act of sending a written statement of charges to the owner is the point at which the lien arises.