N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-75.9

A court of this State exercising jurisdiction in rem or quasi in rem pursuant to G.S. 1-75.8 may affect the interests of a defendant in such an action only if process has been served upon the defendant in accordance with the provisions of Rule 4(k) of the Rules of Civil Procedure, but nothing herein shall prevent the court from making interlocutory orders for the protection of the res while the action is pending.