R.M. LODHA, J.:---The learned Single Judge while dismissing Notice of Motion No. 2455/2000 with regard to prayer (a) taken out by the Vessel m.v. "Sea Success I" and her owners S.S. Shipping Corporation Inc. in Admiralty Suit No. 32/2000 has referred to the Division Bench the following question for its decision:

"Whether a claim for unpaid insurance premia in respect of a ship amounts to "necessary supplies" within the meaning of section 5 of the Admiralty Courts Act, 1861 so as to constitute maritime claim?

2. The aforesaid question is also involved in Appeal No. 739/2000 arising out of Notice of Motion No. 1376/1998 in Admiralty Suit No. 30/1998 and, therefore, both the aforesaid appeals were heard together and are being disposed of by this common judgment. Besides the aforesaid question common to both appeals, there are distinct and separate issues involved which we shall deal with at an appropriate stage.

3. At the outset, we may observe that we afforded extensive hearing to the learned Counsel appearing in the matter not because it was so required but the research done and the labour put by the learned Counsel justified such indulgence.

4. As the aforesaid question has be