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Can My Coast Guard-Documented Boat Be Seized by a County Sheriff?

I was sued in small claims court last year by a marine engine mechanic who did some work on my boat. We had a dispute over whether the job was properly completed, so I decided to withhold my final payment until the problem was resolved. I was out of town on the day of the hearing, so I’m not sure what happened, but I later received notice that a judgment had been entered against me for around $7,000. Last week, the county sheriff seized the boat and I was notified that it will be sold to satisfy the judgment. I am confused by all of this, because my boat is Coast Guard documented, and I had always understood that a lawsuit involving a documented vessel must be filed in federal court, and that the boat would  be seized by federal marshals. How was he able to do this through a small claims court lawsuit? 


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