Wow .... I am floored.
I think the appeals process is a smoking gun with respect to this.
I think it was said that an appeal lies as an action of admiralty.... I'll see if I can dig it up. It is from the Supreme Court case Delovio v. Boit.
Oh snap! If all courts are really admiralty/maritime courts, bringing your case as a libel with the stating of the remedy as savings to suitors has to really get the judge's blood pressure up.