Banks are not afraid of seamen’s wage claims or the priority of wages ahead of the preferred ship’s mortgage. They are viewed a chickenshit nuisance claims.
In most cases, banks will simply fight seamen’s wage claims knowing that few seamen have the resources to litigate. Most seamen will not put up a penny out of their own pocket to fund litigation. It’s not uncommon for seamen’s wage claims to get flat out dismissed on procedural grounds.
Sometimes banks will settle seamen’s wage claims at a discount, particularly if the seamen can afford aggressive representation and they are getting a sympathetic ear.
A seaman will do very well if he can net half of the wages that he is owed after legal fees and costs.