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Mississippi Man Sues Boat Builder After Catastrophic Spin-Out Caused by Alleged Engine Mount Failure
Dr. Jason Parker, a resident of Biloxi, Mississippi, has filed a maritime products liability lawsuit following a high-speed boating incident that allegedly resulted from improper installation of high-performance outboard engines. The complaint, filed in the Southern District of Mississippi, names B.W. Boatworks, Inc. and other individuals and companies allegedly involved in the design, sale, and rigging of the vessel. According to the filing, Parker sustained serious head injuries after the vessel “spun out” at speed when two of its Mercury 450R engines detached.
Boat Passenger Thrown into Rail After Engine Components Allegedly Detached Mid-Run
The incident occurred on November 28, 2021, while the vessel was being operated on open, navigable waters in Mississippi. The complaint alleges that two of the boat’s four Mercury Racing 450R engines experienced a catastrophic failure during operation. Specifically, the steering arms and lower units of the engines allegedly separated, causing a violent loss of control. The vessel spun out, and Dr. Parker—who was seated facing aft and filming—was thrown into the starboard rail, striking his head and suffering bodily injuries. A contemporaneous video is referenced in the complaint.
Image from Complaint
Improper Rigging and Missing Lag Bolts Alleged as Root Cause of Engine Detachment
Following the incident, an inspection of the vessel allegedly revealed that the lower engine drives were not properly secured. The complaint states that key mounting components, including lag bolts for the inner lower drives, were missing. These omissions allegedly caused the steering components and lower units to separate under dynamic load. The lawsuit contends that this improper installation directly resulted in the uncontrollable spin-out.
Image from Complaint
Lawsuit Names Boat Builders, Dealers, and Installers Across Florida as Defendants
The complaint names multiple defendants in the boat’s design, build, sale, and service chain. These include:
- B.W. Boatworks, Inc. (Opa-Locka, FL)
- Plantation Boat Mart and Marina, Inc. (Tavernier, FL)
- Eugenio Uriarte (Miami, FL)
- Ejola Cook (Coconut Creek, FL)
Each defendant is alleged to have played a role in the specification, installation, inspection, or delivery of the vessel and its propulsion system. The complaint includes 62 pages of allegations and exhibits, including photos of the engine damage and a reference to the onboard video.
Legal Claims Include Negligence, Product Liability, and Failure to Warn
Though the final counts vary by defendant, the complaint sets forth common theories of liability:
- Negligent installation, rigging, or inspection of engines and steering
- Product liability for defective or unsafe assembly of propulsion systems
- Failure to warn of known or foreseeable hazards related to engine mounting
- Vicarious liability and negligent supervision for agents or contractors involved in rigging or service
The complaint invokes both maritime and product liability law, focusing on foreseeable mechanical failures during vessel operation on navigable waters.
High-Powered Multi-Engine Setups Require Strict Rigging and Safety Standards
This case underscores the engineering and safety demands of high-output outboards like Mercury’s 450R series. In multi-engine configurations, dynamic stresses on steering arms, bolts, and mounts increase substantially. Even minor oversights in rigging—such as omitted bolts, incorrect torque, or incompatible hardware—can result in dangerous instability. The plaintiff’s legal team points to missing lag bolts and alleged rigging failures as core causes of the vessel’s loss of control.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Head Injury and Boat Defects from All Parties in Supply Chain
Dr. Parker seeks damages for medical treatment, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment due to the alleged defects in the vessel’s construction and rigging. The suit also seeks to hold all responsible parties in the supply and service chain accountable for failing to deliver a seaworthy and safe product. The case, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, may shed light on rigging standards and liability in high-performance recreational boating.
Contact a Maritime Product Liability Attorney If You Were Injured by a Defective Boat or Engine Setup
When mechanical failures on the water result in serious injury, federal maritime law and product liability principles may provide a path to compensation. Boat owners and passengers injured by failed engine mounts, steering components, or improperly rigged propulsion systems have the right to investigate whether negligence or defect played a role. If you were hurt in a boating accident involving rigging or engine failures, speak with a maritime attorney experienced in high-performance vessel litigation.
Contact us now to learn your rights and options.
Disclaimer: Our firm does not represent the plaintiff 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 allegations, are not commenting on the merits of the case, and are not predicting any outcome.