> When you repossess a truck you don't get to leave it at someone else's loading dock for free.
"Repossess" is an inaccurate term here. Arrest of a vessel is a different (though conceptually related) process [0]. Notably, the creditor does not take ownership or possession of the vessel, and so can't be responsible for fees; the ship is taken over by the government and its operation restricted unless it is either "bailed out" by the owner providing alternative security, the underlying litigation resolved, or the ship ordered sold by the government while the litigation proceeds.
If its sold, the costs incurred will be paid out of the sale proceeds, but they may take some time.
"Repossess" is an inaccurate term here. Arrest of a vessel is a different (though conceptually related) process [0]. Notably, the creditor does not take ownership or possession of the vessel, and so can't be responsible for fees; the ship is taken over by the government and its operation restricted unless it is either "bailed out" by the owner providing alternative security, the underlying litigation resolved, or the ship ordered sold by the government while the litigation proceeds.
If its sold, the costs incurred will be paid out of the sale proceeds, but they may take some time.
[0] http://www.maritimelawcenter.com/html/arrest_of_vessel.html