In the Matter of the Complaint of the United States of America, as Owner of the United States Naval Ship Pvt. Joseph F. Merrell, for Exoneration From or Limitation of Liability v. Sumitomo Marine & Fire Insurance Company, Ltd., Etc., Defendants- in the Matter of the Complaint of the United States of America, as Owner of the United States Naval Ship Pvt. Joseph F. Merrell, for Exoneration From or Limitation of Liability, United States of America v. United States Naval Ship Pvt. Joseph F. Merrell and the Vessel "Pearl Venture", United States of America, Counter/claimant-Appellant v. The M/v Pearl Venture, Her Engines, Tackle, Etc., in Rem and Pearl Carriers, Inc., Defendants/counterclaim Sumitomo Marine & Fire Insurance Co., Ltd., a Corp., Plaintiffs v. Pearl Carriers, Inc., and the Vessel Pearl Venture, United States of America v. Sumitomo Marine & Fire Insurance Company, Claimant-Appellee

617 F.2d 1365 In the Matter of The Complaint of the UNITED STATES of America, as owner of the United States Naval Ship PVT. JOSEPH F. MERRELL, for exoneration from or limitation of liability, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. SUMITOMO MARINE & FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY, LTD., etc. et al., Defendants- Appellees. In the Matter of The Complaint of the UNITED STATES of America, as owner of the United States Naval Ship PVT. JOSEPH F. MERRELL, for exoneration from or limitation of liability, UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. UNITED STATES NAVAL SHIP PVT. JOSEPH F. MERRELL and The Vessel "Pearl Venture", Defendants-Appellees. UNITED STATES of America, Counter/Claimant-Appellant, v. The M/V PEARL VENTURE, her engines, tackle, etc., in rem and Pearl Carriers, Inc., Defendants/Counterclaim Appellees. SUMITOMO MARINE & FIRE INSURANCE CO., LTD., a Corp. et al., Plaintiffs- Appellees, v. PEARL CARRIERS, INC. et al., Defendants-Appellants. and The Vessel Pearl Venture, Defendant. UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. SUMITOMO MARINE & FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY, Claimant-Appellee. Nos. 76-2258, 77-1902, 77-1903, 78-1824 and 78-2388. United States Court of Appeals, Ninth…