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Key West Jet Ski Company Seeks Federal Protection from Liability After 2025 Yamaha Watercraft Incident in Florida Keys
Key West JetSki, Inc., a Florida-based personal watercraft tour operator, has filed a Petition for Exoneration from or Limitation of Liability in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Key West Division. The petition, filed under Case No. 4:25-cv-10067-DSL, involves a 2025 Yamaha 11’8″ waterjet vessel that was allegedly involved in an incident leading to potential personal injury or property damage claims.
Vessel Owner Files Limitation Action Under Maritime Law Following Unspecified Incident Involving Yamaha Watercraft
The company is seeking protection under the Limitation of Liability Act, 46 U.S.C. § 30501 et seq., a federal maritime statute that allows vessel owners to limit their liability for accidents occurring on navigable waters to the post-casualty value of the vessel and its appurtenances. The watercraft in question is described as a 2025 Yamaha 11-foot-8-inch jet-powered vessel, identified by hull number YAMA10406425.
According to the court filings, the company has filed an Ad Interim Stipulation for Value, offering security equivalent to the vessel’s value after the incident. While the motion does not detail the underlying facts of the incident, it states that the petition for exoneration or limitation outlines the “facts and circumstances” giving rise to the company’s claim for protection. The court has been asked to approve this valuation and proceed with issuing formal notice to any potential claimants.
Court Asked to Issue Monition, Enjoin Other Lawsuits, and Centralize Claims in Limitation Action
Key West JetSki, Inc. is also asking the court to issue a monition—a legal order requiring all potential claimants to file their claims in the federal court by a date certain—and to issue an injunction halting all other related legal proceedings in any other jurisdiction. This type of procedural relief is standard in limitation actions and is designed to consolidate all claims into a single federal forum for resolution.
The petitioners are represented by attorneys John Michael Pennekamp and Christine M. Walker of Fowler White Burnett P.A. in Miami. Their motion includes proposed orders, notices to claimants, and a draft of the monition and injunction for the court’s review.
Limitation of Liability Proceedings Common in Florida Maritime Injury Cases
While details of the underlying incident have not yet been disclosed in public filings, limitation actions are frequently used by maritime operators following jet ski accidents, parasailing incidents, and other watersport-related injuries. In such cases, vessel owners seek to limit their liability to the vessel’s value—often drastically lower than the potential medical or wrongful death damages that might otherwise be available in personal injury lawsuits.
Under the Limitation of Liability Act, claimants who wish to challenge the owner’s right to limitation or exoneration must file claims and answers in the federal limitation proceeding before the court-imposed deadline.
If you or someone you know was involved in an accident involving a commercial jet ski, boat, or tour vessel in the Florida Keys, your ability to seek full compensation may be affected by limitation proceedings like this one. You may have the right to challenge the limitation and pursue your full damages under maritime law.
Contact us now to speak with an attorney experienced in Florida jet ski and boating injury litigation.
Disclaimer: Our firm does not represent the petitioner or any party in this case and is not involved in the litigation. The information provided is a summary of allegations based on publicly available court filings. We make no representations about the truth of these filings, are not commenting on the merits of the case, and are not predicting any outcome.