When a vessel is arrested the Marshal’s Office dispatches Deputies to the vessel’s location. If an SC is being employed, then they will usually be present at the time of the arrest. It can be quite routine or very dramatic, depending on the owner or crew’s response. Generally, two or more Deputies will arrive with an intimidating show of force. They are well-armed and make it clear that they mean business. This alone usually averts any altercations during the arrest. The procedure includes placing a copy of the court order just inside the boat’s main entrance and prominently displaying Marshal’s seizure stickers on at least two locations, often on the port and starboard sides of the vessel. A third sticker is placed at the boat’s main entrance and provides information about the arrest. These stickers clearly state that anyone boarding the vessel is subject to immediate arrest and fine. In many cases, the boat remains at the location where it is arrested and a custodian is placed aboard. In some instances, it is necessary to relocate the vessel either because it is not safe where she lies or in order to reduce the threat of an attempt to re-commandeer the boat by her owner. Often the underlying issue is cleared up in a matter of days, however, sometimes an arrest can go on for years. The Defendant generally has the option to post a bond sufficient to cover the Plaintiff’s claim, thus allowing the vessel’s immediate release from arrest. In order to arrest a vessel, there must be a court order mandating a Marshal’s seizure, a deposit placed with the Marshal’s Office (usually sufficient to cover ten days of expenses), and a Notice of Arrest has to be published within ten days. This process usually requires the services of a maritime attorney. Although one can attempt this in proper, it is not recommended due to the intricacies and nuances of the legal system.