Florida Company Sues Ocean Alexander Over Alleged Manufacturing Defects and Warranty Breaches on 102-Foot Yacht
Marine Force 12, LLC, a Florida limited liability company with its principal place of business in Nevada, has filed a lawsuit against Alexander Marine USA, Inc., doing business as Ocean Alexander, in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 0:25-cv-61833, alleges that the yacht manufacturer breached multiple warranties after selling a defective 2023 Ocean Alexander 32E yacht and refusing to honor warranty obligations for repair.
Plaintiff Alleges Defective Shafts on 2023 Ocean Alexander 32E Left Vessel Inoperable
According to the complaint, Marine Force 12 purchased a 102-foot Ocean Alexander 32E, known as the M/Y 12, on March 26, 2024. During the vessel’s pre-purchase survey, the yacht’s engine shafts were found to be leaking. Later testing allegedly revealed that both engine shafts were bent and misaligned, leaving the vessel inoperable. The complaint emphasizes that there was no evidence of collision or impact damage, pointing to manufacturing defects.
The plaintiff claims that despite repeated written notices within the one-year warranty period, Ocean Alexander refused to repair or replace the shafts, forcing the owner to undertake the work independently at significant expense.
Ocean Alexander Accused of Breach of Warranty and Failure to Honor Repair Obligations
Marine Force 12 asserts that Ocean Alexander breached its contractual and warranty obligations by failing to repair or replace defective parts manufactured and installed on the vessel. The complaint states that the yacht’s limited warranty required the manufacturer to repair or replace defective parts reported within one year, but Ocean Alexander ignored multiple repair requests and declined to participate in inspections or repair efforts.
As a result, the plaintiff alleges that it incurred over $451,000 in damages, including dockage, repairs, testing, insurance, crew costs, and associated expenses.
Lawsuit Brings Multiple Counts Under Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and Florida Law
The complaint includes five counts:
- Breach of contract
- Breach of express warranty under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act
- Breach of implied warranty of merchantability
- Breach of implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose
- Breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing
The plaintiff alleges that the warranty failed its essential purpose and that Ocean Alexander failed to act in good faith when responding to repair requests, forcing Marine Force 12 to bear the costs of extensive repairs.
Legal Background: Understanding Yacht Warranty Claims Under the Magnuson-Moss Act
The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (MMWA) is a federal statute that governs consumer product warranties in the United States. It requires manufacturers who issue written warranties to honor their terms and provides consumers with remedies if they do not. Under the MMWA, a yacht and its components, such as engines and shafts, can qualify as “consumer products,” and yacht owners are considered “consumers” entitled to protection.
In practice, warranty disputes in the marine industry often involve whether the manufacturer properly disclaimed implied warranties, whether defects fall within the scope of coverage, and whether the warranty “failed of its essential purpose.” Federal courts applying maritime and warranty law frequently analyze whether owners gave timely notice of defects and whether the manufacturer provided a meaningful repair opportunity. Yacht owners bringing Magnuson-Moss claims may also recover attorney’s fees if successful.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Repair Costs, Consequential Losses, and Attorney’s Fees
Marine Force 12 seeks damages exceeding $451,000, including repair costs, inspection expenses, dockage, crew and insurance expenses, and related losses. The company also seeks attorney’s fees, costs, interest, and all other relief permitted under the Magnuson-Moss Act and general maritime law. A jury trial has been demanded.
Contact a Yacht Warranty Dispute Lawyer if Your Vessel Has Defects or Unresolved Repair Claims
Owners of yachts and other large vessels often face warranty disputes when manufacturers decline to repair or replace defective parts. Federal law, including the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, provides protections and remedies for vessel purchasers when warranty obligations are not met. If your yacht has manufacturing defects and the builder has failed to honor warranty terms, you may have legal options for recovering your losses.
Contact us now to speak with a yacht warranty dispute 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.
