Complete Defense Verdict in $4 Million Yacht Loss Case The case arose from a March 2023 towing incident at Bradford Marina in Fort Lauderdale. The M/Y Selah, a 116-foot Azimut motor yacht, was being towed a short distance to a travel lift when it began taking on water. The vessel—purchased and insured for $3.1 million with an alleged additional $900,000 in improvements—was declared a total loss by its insurer. The yacht’s owner and its insurer brought claims for negligence, breach of the warranty of workmanlike service, and vicarious liability. After a three-day trial, the Honorable William P. Dimitrouleas rejected all claims. The Court found that responsibility for preparing the yacht for towing and for communicating the yacht’s readiness fell to its captain—not the marina or the tow boats involved. The Court held that none of the actions by the marina or the tow boats were the actual or proximate cause of the loss. The yacht owner and its insurer were denied any recovery. David N. Gambach and William F. Clair were the trial lawyers from HM&B who secured a complete defense verdict four our client.
