Cayman Islands Yacht Owner Sues Rybovich and Seahawke Rigging Over Defective Superyacht Refit on Zenji
Exodus Transport Ltd., an exempted company based in the Cayman Islands, has filed a comprehensive maritime lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida against RSBC Real Estate Company LLLP doing business as Rybovich, and Florida contractor Seahawke Rigging, Inc. The federal action, filed under Case Number 1:26-cv-26186-JB, alleges that the defendants performed a dangerously defective and substandard overhaul of the masts and rigging systems aboard the 183.9-foot Perini Navi luxury sailing yacht known as Zenji.
Luxury Sailing Yacht Zenji Suffers Critical Rigging Failures Following Multi-Million Dollar Marine Refit
The complaint details that the sailing yacht Zenji is a prominent vessel in the international luxury charter market, offering accommodations for up to twelve guests across six staterooms along with capacity for ten crew members. In early 2024, the vessel owner accepted a comprehensive overhaul proposal and subsequent additional work authorization from Rybovich in West Palm Beach, paying more than 2.3 million dollars for full servicing of the vessel masts, standing rod rigging, and related marine systems. The refit took place between October 2024 and May 2025 at the Rybovich facility, with the yard subcontracting the technical rigging labor to Seahawke Rigging. Upon completion and payment in full, the vessel was cleared to embark on a transatlantic crossing to Europe, where severe performance issues immediately emerged while underway.
Maritime Rigging Inspections Reveal Catastrophic Hazards and Prompt Strict Classification Society Restrictions
Upon arriving in Gibraltar, the vessel owner engaged an independent specialty marine rigging surveyor whose deck and mast inspection concluded the yacht was in an unsafe condition to conduct any sailing operations. Although the principal of Seahawke Rigging subsequently traveled to Malta to perform adjustments and asserted the rig was safe to use, recurring malfunctions persisted throughout the Mediterranean season. When Zenji returned to South Florida ahead of the winter Caribbean charter season, further technical surveys and scans revealed improperly installed and loose hardware, rod stemballs failing to meet original equipment manufacturer tolerances, and severe structural hazards. In response to these pervasive defects during the vessel twenty-year compliance survey, the American Bureau of Shipping imposed a condition of class that banned Zenji from sailing under canvas, limiting her solely to coastal relocation under engine power for urgent repairs.
Lawsuit Asserts Breach of Maritime Contract, Negligence, and Warranty Violations Against Shipyard and Subcontractor
The lawsuit asserts multiple legal claims against both the shipyard and the rigging subcontractor, including breach of maritime contract, negligence, breach of express warranty, breach of the implied warranty of workmanlike performance, and breach of the implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose. The plaintiff alleges that Rybovich failed to properly vet or supervise Seahawke Rigging, which allegedly lacked the competence and experienced labor required for a technical project of this scale. Furthermore, Rybovich allegedly failed to mandate adequate insurance coverage from its subcontractor and later refused to execute physical repairs under its written ninety-day limited warranty, stating it could only offer supervisory assistance. Because of these systemic failures, the owner was forced to contract third-party riggers to completely dismantle and reconstruct the vessel rigging package.
Vessel Owner Pursues Substantial Financial Recovery for Yacht Remediation Costs and Disrupted Charter Earnings
As a result of the defective repairs and safety restrictions, the owner was forced to cancel active bookings and turn away prospective charter inquiries for both the Mediterranean and Caribbean cruising seasons. The lawsuit demands compensatory and consequential damages exceeding 1.5 million dollars in lost charter revenues alone, alongside recovery for remediation costs, professional surveyor fees, extra dockage, and court expenses. The plaintiff asserts that the defendants reckless handling of the refit jeopardized the structural integrity of the superyacht and placed crew, passengers, and other maritime vessels at severe risk.
Superyacht owners, commercial vessel operators, and charter companies facing significant financial harm caused by substandard marine repairs, shipyard negligence, or breach of maritime refit warranties have important legal remedies under general maritime law. Shipyards and marine contractors maintain clear obligations to perform work safely, adhere to engineering specifications, and deliver seaworthy vessels. If your maritime business has suffered significant commercial losses due to negligent vessel maintenance or defective shipyard workmanship, reach out to our team of knowledgeable maritime litigation attorneys to discuss your rights and pursue full compensation.
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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.
