Upon demand, who receives personal property on a vessel when liens are involved?

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The main idea is that liens are claims against the vessel itself, not automatically against every item on board. Personal property on a vessel stays with its rightful owner, and the person who is recognized as the vessel’s owner in the registration—the registered owner—has the authority to demand the release or return of their property on board. The captain and crew don’t acquire ownership of others’ belongings simply because the vessel has liens, and a lienholder’s remedy is against the vessel (or its proceeds) for the debt, not to seize unrelated personal items. So, when personal property on a vessel is involved and a demand is made, the registered owner is the one who receives or controls that property.