Delaware Company Sues Cayman Islands Flagged Motor Yacht M/Y Elligance in Florida Federal Court Over Unpaid Maritime Necessaries
Midwest Assets & Operations, LLC, a Delaware company doing business as One Water Yacht Group, has filed a maritime lien foreclosure lawsuit against the M/Y Elligance in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The legal action, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-22300-JEM, seeks to recover substantial unpaid balances for specialized labor and materials provided to the 68 foot Sunseeker Manhattan motor yacht during the 2024 calendar year.
Yacht Service Provider Seeks Foreclosure of Maritime Lien Against Sunseeker Motor Yacht for Unpaid Maintenance and Repairs
According to the verified complaint, the plaintiff provided essential labor and maritime materials to the M/Y Elligance at the specific request of the vessel’s owner or an authorized representative. These services, categorized as “necessaries” under federal maritime law, were performed within the United States to ensure the vessel remained operational and well-maintained. The plaintiff asserts that the prices charged for these services were reasonable and that the improvements were directly beneficial to the yacht’s value and function. Despite the successful completion of the work and the delivery of materials, the vessel’s ownership has allegedly failed to remit payment.
One Water Yacht Group Alleges Over One Hundred Sixty Thousand Dollars Owed for Vessel Labor and Materials
The lawsuit details a specific financial claim totaling $167,232.16 for the work performed on the Sunseeker vessel. The plaintiff alleges that it has made multiple formal demands for payment to the owner of the M/Y Elligance, but these requests have been ignored or flatly refused. On March 10, 2026, the service provider escalated the matter by issuing a formal notice of a maritime necessaries lien against the vessel. Because the outstanding debt remains unsatisfied, the plaintiff is now exercising its right under the Commercial Instruments and Maritime Liens Act to arrest the vessel and seek a judicial sale to recover the funds.
Federal Maritime Law Invoked to Arrest Cayman Islands Flagged Yacht Located in Southern District of Florida
The M/Y Elligance, identified by Hull Identification Number XSK07575HO21, is currently flagged in the Cayman Islands and is not registered with the United States Coast Guard. However, because the vessel is presently located within the jurisdiction of the Southern District of Florida, the federal court has the authority to adjudicate the claim and order the vessel’s arrest. The plaintiff has requested that the court issue a warrant for the arrest of the yacht, including its engines, tackle, and furnishings, and eventually decree that the lien be foreclosed. This process would allow the vessel to be condemned and sold at auction, with the proceeds used to satisfy the debt, interest, and legal costs.
Plaintiff Requests Judicial Sale and Credit Bidding Rights to Satisfy Outstanding Debt for Yacht Necessaries
In its prayer for relief, One Water Yacht Group asks the court to direct all parties with an interest in the M/Y Elligance to appear and answer the allegations. The company is seeking a court order that would allow it to “credit bid” the amount of its lien during the eventual sale of the vessel. This means the plaintiff could potentially take ownership of the Sunseeker yacht by using the debt owed to them as the purchase price. The lawsuit highlights the rigorous protections provided to maritime service providers who furnish “necessaries” to foreign-flagged vessels operating within American waters.
Contact a Maritime Lien and Yacht Litigation Lawyer Today if Your Marine Business is Facing Unpaid Invoices
Marine service providers, shipyards, and equipment suppliers who furnish labor or materials to vessels have powerful legal remedies under federal admiralty law to ensure they are compensated. When a yacht owner fails to pay for repairs or maintenance, a maritime lien automatically attaches to the vessel, allowing the provider to sue the ship itself. If your company is struggling to collect on substantial unpaid invoices for vessel improvements or necessaries, contact our team of experienced maritime litigation attorneys today. We can help you navigate the complexities of vessel arrests and lien foreclosures to protect your business interests.
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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.
