Counsel who intends to file a complaint for vessel seizure must alert the United States Marshal’s
Office in the division where the vessel is located no later than six hours prior to the intended filing.
In exigent circumstances, the court may grant leave to file the seizure pleadings without the notice
described in this rule. Counsel filing the complaint must notify the court, through the clerk’s office,
of the intended filing. In the absence of any district judges in the division, a magistrate judge is
authorized to order the summons and warrant of arrest if exigent circumstances exist.
