Establishing maritime liens

has a maritime lien on the vessel; may bring a civil action in rem to enforce the lien; and is not required to allege or prove in the action that credit was given to the vessel. This section does not apply to a public vessel. Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a person providing necessaries to a vessel on the order of the owner or a person authorized by the owner— (Source: (Pub. L. 100–710, title I, § 102(c), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat. 4748; Pub. L. 101–225, title III, § 303(6), Dec. 12, 1989, 103 Stat. 1924.))