“We Didn’t Start the Fire” – Federal Court Grants HM&B’s Motion for Summary Judgment on Behalf of Shipyard

Larry Bloch claimed his vessel was nearly destroyed by fire while undergoing a refit at Marine Mile Yachting Center. He faulted Beard Marine’s alleged poor installation of an air handler and related controller. And Beard Marine, in turn, claimed the cause of the fire was ‘hot work’ by the shipyard’s contractor citing the initial reports by the fire department of a vessel fire with probable ‘hot work’ involvement. Following diligent investigation and analysis of the fire scene, and depositions of key witnesses including experts for both Plaintiff and Beard Marine, MMYC moved for summary judgment arguing the initial reports were wrong, and there was no competent evidence that the fire was caused by ‘hot work’. The court agreed granting summary judgment to MMYC and its contractor.