Federal court authorises seizure of Victory I over alleged $790,666 debt

A federal court in South Carolina has authorised the seizure of the casino cruise vessel Victory I and its onboard assets, including slot machines and other gaming equipment, after Detyens Shipyards alleged that Victory Casino Cruises owes $790,666 in unpaid invoices. US District Judge David Norton approved a Warrant of Arrest in Rem on 19 October, according to the report.

According to Detyens, the dispute traces back to a deal in which Victory Casino Cruises arranged for the vessel to be docked and serviced at the shipyard. The yard claims the work and services it supplied came to $940,666, and that only $150,000 has been paid.

The warrant is to be executed by the US Marshals Service and covers Victory I, "her hull, tackle, fixtures, equipment, engines, furniture, freights, apparel, and appurtenances, including slot machines, gaming equipment, and other casino machines." A federal marshal served the warrant aboard the vessel at 10:15am on 28 October, according to the report.

Victory Casino Cruises has not yet responded to the complaint. The company was required to answer within 21 days of receiving the summons, which occurred on 16 October; if it fails to respond by 6 November, a default judgment will be entered in favour of Detyens Shipyards. Detyens is represented by Charleston attorney James Hood of the Hood Law Firm.