Federal Marshals seized America's Cup champion Oracle Team USA's prototype boat in San Francisco on Monday, before it could be shipped out of the country, in response to a lien filed by a fired sailor.
Marshals went to the team's base at Pier 80 and determined that the souped-up, 45-foot catamaran and its various components and wing sail were in three shipping containers the team was preparing to send to Bermuda.
Marshals Service spokesman Frank Conroy said the containers were stickered and locked.
In Maritime Law Terms, the boat was arrested.
Conroy said marshals believe the confiscated boat is the catamaran known as 4 Oracle Team USA.
He said marshals had a "very pleasant exchange" with syndicate members.
"We didn't get the feeling of anyone trying to hide anything from us," Conroy said.
In a filing Friday, Oracle attorney David E. Russo said the boat that fired sailor Joe Spooner wants confiscated to satisfy the lien was sold to a French syndicate in December.
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