Florida Boat Owners Suffer Constructive Total Loss After Boat Fire at Unique Marine Repair Facility
GEICO Marine Insurance Company, as subrogee of Florida vessel owners Geneva and Ronnie Stephens, has filed a federal maritime lawsuit against Unique Marine, Inc. in the Southern District of Florida, Key West Division. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 4:26-cv-10143-JEM, alleges that Unique Marine’s negligence, breach of implied warranty of workmanlike performance, and breach of bailment led to an overnight fire that destroyed a brand new 2025 32-foot World Cat vessel while under the repair facility’s exclusive care and control in Tavernier, Florida.
Florida Vessel Owners Suffer Complete Loss of World Cat Boat in Tavernier Marine Repair Yard Fire
According to the complaint, Geneva and Ronnie Stephens purchased their brand-new 2025 32-foot World Cat 325 DC catamaran directly from Unique Marine in October 2024. Over the following months, Unique Marine performed extensive aftermarket installations and wiring modifications, including altering the factory electrical setup so the outboard engines would charge custom lithium-ion battery banks. On May 9, 2025, the vessel was brought back to Unique Marine’s marina in Tavernier, Florida, for additional technical repairs, including fixing an inoperative stereo system and windshield wiper motor, programming Garmin plotters, adjusting throttle synchronization, and completing a 100-hour engine service.
Unique Marine Accused of Negligent Electrical Work, Improper Tool Storage, and Poor Fire Safety Protocols
The lawsuit states that the vessel was hauled out on the owners’ trailer and parked beneath a work tent on Unique Marine’s premises. On the early morning of May 14, 2025, at approximately 2:45 a.m., the vessel caught fire and sustained catastrophic damage before Monroe County Fire and Rescue could fully extinguish the blaze. Security cameras inside the work tent recorded the entire incident, with footage remaining in the marina’s custody. The complaint highlights that Unique Marine was the sole service provider to work on the boat and that lithium-ion-powered tools belonging to the marina were left aboard the catamaran at the time of the fire. The filing alleges that the business failed to follow proper fire prevention procedures, improperly rigged workspace electrical connections, and failed to safely store lithium tools and flammable materials.
Lawsuit Asserts Breach of Implied Warranty of Workmanlike Performance and Breach of Bailment Duty
GEICO Marine asserts three distinct causes of action against Unique Marine under general maritime law and Florida law: negligence, breach of the implied warranty of workmanlike performance, and breach of bailment. As a commercial bailee having exclusive possession and control over the dry-docked vessel, Unique Marine was legally obligated to exercise ordinary care and return the boat in good condition. The suit claims Unique Marine failed to maintain a safe storage area, failed to detect dangerous electrical or tool hazards, and breached its implied warranty to carry out repairs in a competent, professional manner consistent with marine industry standards.
Insurer Demands Over Half a Million Dollars in Damages for Catastrophic Marine Fire Damage and Salvage Costs
Because the overnight fire caused catastrophic damage resulting in a constructive total loss, GEICO Marine compensated the boat owners under policy No. BUS7442773 and became fully subrogated to their legal rights. The insurer seeks total damages of $585,372.03. This amount includes $542,380.00 paid for the total loss of the vessel, $37,740.69 in expert investigation fees, $16,099.34 in salvage and storage costs, and $500.00 for destroyed personal effects. GEICO Marine is demanding a jury trial to recover its losses alongside prejudgment interest and court costs.
Contact a Florida Maritime Property Damage and Boat Fire Attorney Today if Your Vessel Was Damaged in a Marina
Vessel owners and marine insurers facing catastrophic property loss due to marina negligence, yard fires, improper repairs, or breach of bailment may be entitled to full financial compensation under general maritime law. Commercial shipyards and repair shops have a strict legal duty to handle, store, and service vessels in a safe and workmanlike manner. If your boat or yacht was damaged or destroyed while under the care of a marine service provider, contact our team of experienced maritime attorneys today to evaluate your rights and pursue full recovery.
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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.
