46 U.S.C. § 30529: Action by owner for limitation

The owner of a vessel may bring a civil action in a district court of the United States for limitation of liability under this chapter. The action must be brought within 6 months after a claimant gives the owner written notice of a claim. an amount equal to the value of the owner’s interest in the vessel and pending freight, or approved security; and an amount, or approved security, that the court may fix from time to time as necessary to carry out this chapter; or the owner’s interest in the vessel and pending freight; and an amount, or approved security, that the court may fix from time to time as necessary to carry out this chapter. When an action has been brought under this section and the owner has complied with subsection (b), all claims and proceedings against the owner related to the matter in question shall cease.