First Maryland Leasecorp. v. M/V Golden Egret

764 F.2d 749, 41 U.C.C. Rep. Serv. (West) 600
CourtCourt of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
DecidedJuly 1, 1985
DocketNo. 83-7674
StatusPublished
Cited by12 cases

This text of 764 F.2d 749 (First Maryland Leasecorp. v. M/V Golden Egret) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
First Maryland Leasecorp. v. M/V Golden Egret, 764 F.2d 749, 41 U.C.C. Rep. Serv. (West) 600 (11th Cir. 1985).

Opinion

R. LANIER ANDERSON, III, Circuit Judge:

First Maryland Leasecorp (“FML”) appeals from a decision of the district court and challenges several of the district court’s conclusions of law.

I. FACTS

Collier Shipbuilding Co., Inc. (“Collier”) originally agreed with Camcraft, Inc., a Louisiana corporation engaged in offshore petroleum exploration, to build and deliver six offshore petroleum exploration supply vessels known as Builder’s Hull Nos. 24-[751]*75129. In the fall of 1981, Mr. D.E. Bowman (“Bowman”), a principal in Camcraft, Inc., came to FML seeking interim financing for construction of the six hulls.

After preliminary negotiations, FML agreed to finance construction of the hulls. FML and Bowman then entered into a security agreement which gave FML a security interest in all existing and after-acquired goods, parts, equipment, and inventory used or to be used in each of the six hulls, all contract rights, accounts, and general intangibles. Bowman also assigned all its rights in and to the vessel construction contract (“Construction Contract”) to FML. Under the amended Construction Contract, Collier granted ownership of all inventory, hulls, and contract rights to Bowman individually and subordinated its rights in and to the Construction Contract to FML. Numerous provisions of these contracts are at issue in the present case.

The loan agreement between Bowman and FML also contemplated certain lending limitations such as (1) no more than $5,000,-000 was to be loaned and outstanding on the hulls at any given time, (2) no more than an aggregate of $10,000,000 could be loaned at any one time to Bowman to construct the hulls, and (3) FML would not lend on more than three hulls under construction at any given time. FML filed appropriate financing statements with the Alabama Secretary of State. Under the agreements, FML advanced funds to Bowman as construction on each of the six hulls progressed. Similarly, Collier was entitled to a draw at a previously-agreed stage of construction. After Bowman’s marine surveyor verified the stage of completion, Bowman contacted FML, and funds were advanced to it and from Bowman on to Collier.

Hull 24 was completed by Collier and delivered to Bowman. After Bowman secured permanent financing for Hull 24, FML released its security interest with respect to that hull, and there is no dispute over the respective security interests concerning Hull 24.

As regards Hull 25 (also called the GOLDEN EGRET), the district court held that FML had a valid First Preferred Ship Mortgage which was superior to the claims of all other claimants asserting liens for services, supplies, and materials. That finding is not contested on appeal.

The present controversy stems from Bowman’s inability to make the July, 1982, interest payments on Hulls 25, 26, and 27 to FML. Bowman defaulted on July 15, 1982, by failing to make the required interest payment. On July 30, 1982, Bowman and Collier entered into a “Mutual Release” in which Bowman assigned all of its interest in the hulls to Collier. FML disputes the validity of the release, arguing that its consent was necessary. Numerous intervenors (“the Intervenors”) also assert claims against the hulls. In large part, the Intervenors supplied materials and services for construction of the hulls. FML disputes the existence and priority of various liens asserted by Intervenors in the unfinished hulls.

II. WHETHER FML GAVE VALUE FOR ITS SECURITY INTEREST

The district court held that FML’s security interest did not attach to Hulls 28 and 29 since FML gave no value for its security interest in those hulls. We disagree.

Three broad requirements must be met for a security interest to attach to any given collateral. First, the debtor must have signed a security agreement containing a description of the collateral. Second, the debtor must have rights in the collateral. Finally, the secured creditor must have given value. Ala.Code § 7-9-203 (1984).

It is clear that FML did not advance any funds against Hulls 28 and 29. The fact that FML never advanced any funds for these hulls is not, however, dispositive of the issue of whether FML gave value for its security interest in Hulls 28 and 29. Under the Code, value is defined as follows:

[A] person gives “value” for rights if he acquires them:
[752]*752(a) In return for a binding commitment to extend credit or for the extension of immediately available credit whether or not drawn upon and whether or not a charge-back is provided for in the event of difficulties in collection; or
(b) As security for or in total or partial satisfaction of a preexisting claim; or
(d) Generally, in return for any consideration sufficient to support a simple contract.

Ala.Code § 7-1-201(44) (1984) (emphasis added).

FML suggests several theories upon which the record reflects that “value” was given. We discuss two of those theories. First, FML clearly gave “value” for Hulls 24-27 since FML actually advanced funds for their construction. The parties disagree, however, as to whether the funds advanced for Hulls 24-27 constitute value for the security interest in Hulls 28 and 29 by virtue of the “cross-collateralization” clause in the security agreement. It provides:

The security interest of Creditor in each of the Vessels shall be separate, distinct and independent of each other and the security interest of Creditor in the contract as to each of the Vessels shall be separate, distinct and independent of each other. Provided however, it is the intent of the parties hereto that the Vessels financed by Creditor shall be security for each and every note payable to Creditor and in the event of foreclosure or realization against the Collateral on any one Vessel which may result in a deficiency therein, that Creditor shall have the right to proceed against the other Vessels to recover the amount owed.

FML’s primary argument is that under this clause, all the hulls, including Hulls 28 and 29, were collateral for any and all indebtedness owed by Bowman to FML. Collier, however, focuses on the term “Vessels financed by Creditor” and notes that the term “Vessel” is defined in the loan agreement as one of the “six/173' twin screw supply boats designated by builder’s Hull No. 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29.” From this, Collier argues that Hulls 28 and 29 do not fit within the definition since neither of the partially completed hulls was capable of flotation and thus could not be deemed a “Vessel” within the meaning of the security agreement. We disagree.

Collier’s argument, if accepted, forces one to assume that the parties intended for FML to have a security interest in the hulls only when the hulls reached the stage of construction in which they were capable of flotation. Collier, however, articulates no sound business reason for such an interpretation. Moreover, the express terms of the security agreement refute Collier’s argument. The agreement describes the collateral as:

All of debtor’s goods and/or inventory ... used and/or to be used in the construction of six (6) supply vessels bearing Hulls Nos.

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First Maryland Leasecorp. v. The M/V Golden Egret
764 F.2d 749 (First Circuit, 1985)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
764 F.2d 749, 41 U.C.C. Rep. Serv. (West) 600, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/first-maryland-leasecorp-v-mv-golden-egret-ca11-1985.