Florida Boat Owner Files Federal Lawsuit Seeking Exoneration After Deckhand Injury in Port Everglades
Buffalo Sailfish LLC, a Florida-based company, has initiated a maritime legal action in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 0:26-cv-60527-RS, seeks exoneration from or limitation of liability following an incident involving a deckhand aboard the M/V Freebird, a 2012 Yellowfin center console motor vessel. The petitioner is invoking federal maritime statutes to limit its financial exposure regarding a personal injury claim arising from a voyage in January 2025.
Deckhand Rex Lane Allegedly Injured During Fishing Trip Return Near Fort Lauderdale Inlet
The complaint describes an incident that took place on January 9, 2025, within the territorial waters of Florida. At the time, the M/V Freebird was returning from a fishing voyage and navigating through the Port Everglades inlet near Fort Lauderdale. According to the filing, the vessel encountered a sudden and unforeseeable wake that caused the boat to move unexpectedly. Rex Lane, who was serving as a deckhand on the vessel, was reportedly at the bow during this time. The petitioner alleges that Lane was not properly seated or secured when the movement occurred, leading to his subsequent injuries.
Vessel Owner Buffalo Sailfish Claims No Knowledge of Unsafe Seating and Cites Open and Obvious Hazards
In its federal filing, Buffalo Sailfish LLC asserts that it had no knowledge that the deckhand was in an unsecured or improper position while the vessel was in motion. The petitioner further argues that it owed no specific duty to warn the deckhand about the risks of standing while entering an inlet. The complaint contends that the presence of wakes and the resulting motion of a vessel in a busy shipping channel like Port Everglades constitute conditions that are open and obvious to any experienced maritime worker. By highlighting these factors, the boat owner seeks to shift the legal responsibility for the accident away from the company and the vessel’s operation.
Petitioner Asserts Seaworthiness of Yellowfin Motor Vessel and Denies All Fault for Port Everglades Incident
The lawsuit emphasizes that the M/V Freebird was completely seaworthy at the time of the accident. Buffalo Sailfish LLC maintains that the 39-foot Yellowfin was properly manned, equipped with suitable machinery, and maintained in good working order. The petitioner categorically denies any negligence or fault on its part, or on the part of any person for whom the company is responsible. The legal team for the petitioner argues that the injuries sustained by Lane were not caused by any deficiency in the boat’s tackle or apparel, but rather by external factors and the claimant’s own actions.
Limitation of Liability Act Invoked to Cap Potential Damages at Vessel Value of Three Hundred Twenty Thousand Dollars
In the event that the court finds the petitioner liable for the deckhand’s injuries, Buffalo Sailfish LLC has requested that such liability be limited to the value of the vessel. The complaint states that the collective value of the M/V Freebird at the time of the incident was 320,000 dollars, with no pending freight. This legal maneuver is a standard practice in maritime law under 46 U.S.C. section 30501, which allows vessel owners to limit their financial risk to the post-accident value of the ship, provided the incident occurred without their privity or knowledge. The petitioner has offered an ad interim stipulation for costs and value to secure this limitation.
Contact an Experienced Maritime Injury Lawyer if You Have Been Hurt in a Florida Boating or Fishing Accident
Seamen, deckhands, and passengers who suffer injuries on motor vessels due to sudden wakes, equipment failure, or negligent operation may have significant rights under maritime law. Whether an incident occurs on a private fishing boat or a commercial vessel, the legal complexities of exoneration and limitation of liability require professional guidance. If you or a loved one has been involved in a boating accident in Port Everglades or Florida territorial waters, it is essential to understand how federal maritime statutes might impact your ability to recover damages for medical expenses and lost wages.
Contact us now to speak with a maritime injury attorney.
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.
