Florida Marina Sues 110-Foot Motor Yacht “Sea La Vie” for $48,639 in Unpaid Dockage Fees
A South Florida marina operator has filed a maritime lien lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida against the 110-foot motor yacht Sea La Vie. The lawsuit, filed by Coconut Grove SMI LLC d/b/a Bayshore Landing Marina, seeks to recover more than $48,000 in unpaid dockage and marina services allegedly owed by the yacht’s owner or operator. The in rem action is captioned Case No. 1:25-cv-24353-DPG.
South Florida Yacht Marina Seeks Arrest and Sale of M/Y Sea La Vie to Satisfy Maritime Lien
According to the verified complaint filed on September 22, 2025, Sea La Vie is a 1999 EVO motor yacht, 110 feet in length, registered under Documentation No. DL6842AL. The yacht is currently located within the waters of Miami-Dade County, Florida. The marina operator claims it began providing dockage and related marina services for the vessel on or around January 18, 2022, under a boat storage and dockage agreement with the yacht’s owner or operator, identified as Florida Yachts International.
The marina alleges that despite providing continuous dockage services, the owners of Sea La Vie have failed to pay outstanding invoices, the most recent dated September 1, 2025. The unpaid balance has reached $48,639.48 and continues to accrue as dockage fees mount. The complaint asserts that numerous demands for payment have been made, without success.
Lawsuit Asserts Plaintiff Has Valid Maritime Lien Under Federal Admiralty Law
Bayshore Landing Marina claims it has a valid maritime lien on the vessel under the Commercial Instruments and Maritime Liens Act, 46 U.S.C. § 31301 et seq., based on its provision of “necessaries” in the form of dockage and support services. The plaintiff is seeking the arrest of the Sea La Vie pursuant to Rule C of the Supplemental Rules for Admiralty or Maritime Claims. It also requests that the vessel be condemned and sold to satisfy the outstanding lien if payment is not received.
The complaint emphasizes that the dockage and services were provided to the yacht at the request of its owners or operators and that the marina has complied with all contractual obligations. The plaintiff further seeks pre-judgment interest, legal fees, and costs associated with the enforcement of the lien.
Marina Files Verified Complaint with Affidavit from General Manager of Bayshore Landing
The verified complaint is supported by a sworn statement from Jack P. Walker, the general manager of Bayshore Landing Marina, who affirms that the factual allegations are true to the best of his knowledge. Walker states that the unpaid charges represent a continuing financial burden on the marina, which has maintained dockage services without interruption for more than three years.
In filing the lawsuit, the marina has retained maritime counsel from Karcher Canning & Karcher of Dania Beach, Florida. The legal action underscores the rights of marina operators and service providers to enforce maritime liens when vessel owners default on their financial obligations.
Yacht Owners Risk Vessel Seizure and Sale if Outstanding Dockage Fees Remain Unpaid
Under maritime law, vessels can be arrested and sold through federal court proceedings to satisfy unpaid debts related to their maintenance, operation, or storage. In this case, if Sea La Vie’s owner does not resolve the debt or respond to the lawsuit, the court may issue a warrant for the yacht’s arrest, ultimately resulting in a judicial sale of the vessel to satisfy the $48,639 claim and associated legal costs.
Vessel owners and charter operators who rely on marina services in South Florida should be aware of the serious legal and financial consequences of unpaid dockage fees. Maritime liens attach directly to the vessel and can result in seizure regardless of changes in ownership or registration.
Contact a Maritime Lien Attorney If You Are Owed for Dockage or Vessel Services
Marinas, marine service providers, and vendors have powerful rights under maritime law to enforce payment through vessel arrest and lien actions in federal court. If your business has not been paid for services rendered to a yacht or commercial vessel, a maritime lien may be your best path to recovery.
To learn more about enforcing maritime liens for unpaid dockage or marine services, contact our experienced maritime attorneys today.
Contact us now to speak with a Florida maritime lien lawyer.
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.
