Section 83. Duration of lien

Every  lien for a debt shall cease if the
  vessel navigates the western or northwestern lakes, or either  of  them,
  or  the  Saint Lawrence river, at the expiration of six months after the
  first of January next succeeding the time when the debt was  contracted,
  and  in  case  of  any  other vessel, at the expiration of twelve months
  after the debt was contracted. If,  upon  the  expiration  of  the  time
  herein limited in either of such cases, such vessel shall be absent from
  the port at which the debt was contracted, the lien shall continue until
  the  expiration  of  thirty days after the return of such vessel to such
  port.  If proceedings are instituted for the  enforcement  of  the  lien
  within  the  time  herein  limited,  such  lien shall continue until the
  termination of such proceedings.