§ 96. Contested claims. The master, owner, agent or consignee of the vessel, or any person having an interest in the proceeds before final distribution thereof, may contest any claim made against the vessel or its proceeds, by filing with such justice a written answer, verified as a pleading in a court of record, designating the claims contested and controverting any material allegation of the notice of lien, application for a warrant or statement of lien, and setting up any other matter in defense thereto. A copy of such answer shall be served within five days from such filing, upon the person whose claim is contested, or his attorney.

If the answer does not contain any matter of defense to the claim, it may be stricken out on motion of any person who has filed a notice of lien against the vessel.