Cayman Islands Vessel Owner Sues Marine Contractors After Catastrophic Engine Failure on M/Y Trending
Trending, LTD, a foreign corporation based in the Cayman Islands, has filed a maritime breach of contract and warranty lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida against two Florida-based marine service providers. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 0:26-cv-60532-EA, alleges that Mendol USA, Inc. and Advanced Mechanical Engineering, Inc. performed substandard repair and alignment work on the luxury yacht M/Y Trending, leading to a catastrophic engine failure during a sea trial in July 2025.
Yacht Owner Alleges Extensive Damages Following Failed Zero Hour Engine Overhaul by Mendol USA
The complaint states that Trending, LTD hired Mendol USA to perform a comprehensive W-6/QL4 overhaul of the vessel’s twin MTU marine diesel engines. This high-level maintenance was intended to restore the engines, which had 14,000 hours of operation, to a zero-hour condition to ensure reliability for the upcoming charter season. However, the plaintiff alleges that Mendol failed to follow essential manufacturer guidelines and ignored critical warnings regarding the starboard engine’s crankshaft. Despite receiving a third-party report indicating the crankshaft was not within proper tolerances, Mendol technicians allegedly reinstalled the used part. The lawsuit claims Mendol neglected to perform necessary hardness testing and concentricity measurements, ultimately resulting in the crankshaft developing longitudinal cracks during testing.
Advanced Mechanical Engineering Accused of Improper Drivetrain Alignment and Negligent Sea Trial Monitoring
In addition to the engine overhaul, the plaintiff contracted Advanced Mechanical Engineering, also known as AME, to handle the alignment of the drivetrain, powertrain, transmissions, and shafts. The lawsuit alleges that AME performed its duties in an unworkmanlike manner by failing to properly measure gaps and installing an incorrectly sized spacer on the Geislinger composite coupling. Furthermore, the complaint highlights significant failures during the July 2025 sea trial. While AME was tasked with vibration analysis, the plaintiff claims the company failed to attach necessary probes to the engines or the yacht’s structure, choosing only to monitor the transmissions. The lawsuit asserts that AME technicians were not at their monitoring stations in the engine room at the time of the failure and failed to warn the crew of excessive vibrations.
Starboard Engine Catastrophically Fails During Florida Sea Trial Due to Combined Contractor Negligence
The legal filing describes a series of events during the sea trial where both contractors allegedly missed opportunities to prevent the disaster. According to the narrative, Mendol technicians observed vibrations in the starboard engine early in the trial but did not order a shutdown. Even after the chief engineer reported concerns and the oil temperature spiked, the engine remained in operation until it suffered a catastrophic failure. Trending, LTD argues that the combined actions and inactions of both Mendol and AME directly caused the engine’s destruction. The plaintiff alleges that the work performed was not only unprofessional but also utilized defective materials and inferior installation techniques that did not meet the standards of reasonably prudent marine repairmen.
Plaintiff Seeks Over Four Million Dollars for Lost Charter Revenue and Cost of Extensive Vessel Repairs
As a result of the engine failure, the M/Y Trending was forced to undergo months of additional repairs, leading to the cancellation of booked charters for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. The plaintiff is seeking damages exceeding 4,000,000 dollars to cover the costs of hiring new contractors, purchasing additional parts, and compensating for lost revenue and brokerage fees. The lawsuit includes counts for breach of express contract, breach of the implied warranty of workmanlike performance, and violations of the Florida Uniform Commercial Code regarding the non-delivery of goods. Trending, LTD maintains that the defendants have refused to indemnify the vessel owner for these losses, leaving the plaintiff to bear the ongoing costs of maintenance and storage while the yacht remains out of service.
Contact an Experienced Maritime Marine Repair Liability Lawyer if Your Vessel Suffered Damages During Service
Vessel owners who experience significant financial loss or property damage due to negligent marine repairs or substandard shipyard services may be entitled to seek compensation under maritime law. Marine contractors have a legal duty to perform overhauls and alignments with reasonable care and in accordance with manufacturer specifications. If your yacht or commercial vessel was damaged because of improper engine service, faulty drivetrain alignment, or a failure to monitor systems during sea trials, contact our team of maritime attorneys today. We can help you navigate complex contract disputes and warranty claims to protect your investment and recover lost operating income.
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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.
