Just weeks before the start of Alaska’s prized Bristol Bay sockeye season, startup processor Northline Seafoods is grappling with a legal storm that could derail its 2025 operations.

A U.S. District Court judge approves an order authorizing the arrest of the company’s 400-foot salmon processing barge, Hannah, following a complaint filed by Seattle-based Leo’s Welding and Fabrication. The company claims it is owed nearly $1.3 million for work completed in 2024, according to reporting by Intrafish.

The arrest, filed under maritime law, allows U.S. marshals to detain the vessel to secure a claim against it. Intrafish reported that a hearing must be held within five days of the order, during which Northline could present arguments or post a bond to remove the vessel from arrest.

Despite the court’s action, Northline CEO Ben Blakey insists the Hannah will stay on schedule. “The Hannah will depart Bellingham in May and will freeze fish in Bristol Bay in June,” Blakely told Intrafish via text.

But the stakes are high. In court filings, Northline warned that any disruptions to the vessel’s operations could be “severe and potentially fatal,” jeopardizing its ability to repay creditors and operate during the critical salmon season. The company noted that a separate $40 million mortgage on the Hannah would take precedence over Leo’s Welding’s claim, potentially leaving the welding firm unpaid.

Currently, 30 employees and 11 contractors are preparing the vessel for the season, with plans to increase staffing to 96 by the time of peak operations, Blakely stated in court testimony. The tight timeline and previous setbacks- like last season’s electrical fire that hindered the Hannah’s ability to freeze fish- leave little room for delays.

“Any disruption to those preparations poses a very serious risk to the Hannah’s equipment and economic prospects for Sayak and the dozens of employees and contractors whose work depends on the success of the venture,” Northline’s attorneys argued, cited by Intrafish.

While Northline said it has reached payment agreements with most vendors, Leo’s Welding remains a holdout. Still, Blakey maintains optimism, stating, “We will pay our vendors in full.”

The Bristol Bay season typically begins in late June and lasts through early August. As the clock ticks down, Northline’s ability to resolve its legal entanglements may determine whether it can meet the moment.