Florida Marina Sues M/Y Vixit for Over $240,000 in Unpaid Dockage Fees at Seahaven Marina in Dania Beach
Seahaven SMI OPCO, LLC, the operator of a high-end marina facility in Dania Beach, Florida, has filed a maritime lawsuit in rem against the 173-foot motor yacht Vixit in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 0:25-cv-62302-WPD, seeks to recover at least $244,818.38 in unpaid dockage and marina service fees from the vessel, invoking the court’s admiralty jurisdiction.
Seahaven Marina Seeks Arrest of 173-Foot Yacht Vixit for Alleged Nonpayment of Dockage Since January 2025
According to the verified complaint, the Vixit—a 1989-built OSKARSHAMNS VARVET motor yacht documented under Registration No. 717261—has been docked at Seahaven Marina since at least June 2024. The yacht’s ownership is attributed to Mirage Yacht, Inc., which allegedly contracted with Seahaven to provide dockage and other marina services. The marina asserts it began issuing invoices for services rendered shortly after the agreement was reached.
However, the complaint states that the vessel’s owner ceased making payments in January 2025, despite continued use of the marina’s facilities. Seahaven claims it has repeatedly demanded payment but received no response or compensation. As a result, the company filed a verified complaint to assert a maritime lien on the Vixit and seeks judicial authorization for the vessel’s arrest.
Lawsuit Alleges Maritime Lien for Necessaries Under U.S. Admiralty Law
The complaint relies on longstanding principles of admiralty jurisdiction under 46 U.S.C. § 31301(4), which allows maritime liens against vessels for “necessaries” provided, including dockage, repairs, and storage. Seahaven asserts that the unpaid marina services constitute necessaries under federal law and that the lien should be enforced through arrest and potential sale of the vessel if payment is not received.
The lawsuit includes verified testimony from Seahaven’s regional manager, Jean Pierre Louis, confirming that the marina provided the services and that payment remains outstanding. Seahaven also requests pre-judgment interest, attorneys’ fees, and legal costs associated with the enforcement of its lien.
South Florida Court Asked to Arrest and Possibly Sell Yacht to Satisfy Unpaid Dockage Bill
In addition to seeking a monetary judgment, Seahaven requests that the court issue a warrant to arrest the Vixit wherever it may be found in the Southern District of Florida. This action would allow federal marshals to detain the vessel pending the outcome of the case. The complaint further asks the court to permit the sale of the vessel if the debt is not paid, with proceeds going toward satisfying the outstanding balance.
The filing represents a rare example of in rem maritime litigation—a procedure unique to admiralty law, where the vessel itself is named as the defendant. These types of lawsuits are used by marinas, fuel providers, and repair facilities to collect debts directly from vessel assets when personal jurisdiction over the owner is difficult or when maritime liens are the preferred remedy.
Contact a Florida Admiralty Attorney If You Need to Enforce a Maritime Lien Against a Vessel
Operators of marinas, shipyards, or marine service providers may be entitled to enforce maritime liens when vessels fail to pay for necessaries such as dockage or repairs. If you’re seeking to arrest a vessel or enforce a lien under U.S. admiralty law, contact an experienced maritime attorney to learn how federal courts can help secure payment.
Contact us now to speak with a South Florida admiralty and maritime 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.
