Florida Marine Businesses Sue Boat Owner After Unpaid Engine Repairs and Extended Boatyard Storage of Vessel in Miami
Leon Inspection and Marine Services, LLC and Knight Custom Marine, Inc., both Florida-based maritime companies, have filed a joint federal maritime lawsuit against Brandon Vassallo and his 36-foot pleasure vessel, the M/V Let’s Go Brandon. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-23980-KMM in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, seeks to enforce maritime liens and collect substantial unpaid balances for vessel maintenance and prolonged storage.
Florida Limited Liability Company Seeks Unpaid Balances for Hull Maintenance and Engine Repair Services in Miami Boatyard
According to the verified complaint, Leon Inspection and Marine Services entered into a maritime contract with the vessel owner, Brandon Vassallo, to perform various necessary mechanical and maintenance services on the 2023 36-foot Pursuit pleasure vessel. The contracted work included specialized labor performed directly on the hull of the vessel, as well as essential maintenance on the boat’s engines and propellers. The plaintiffs state that all of the requested marine technician services and contracted maintenance repairs were successfully completed on or about November 14, 2024.
While the vessel owner did pay for a portion of the marine services rendered, a balance of 7,800.00 dollars for the engine and hull maintenance work went completely unpaid. The marine service company asserts that these completed repair services constitute necessary maritime provisions under federal law, and the outstanding balance has remained overdue since the completion date despite multiple attempts to secure the remaining funds from the owner.
Boatyard Owner Assesses Accumulating Daily Storage Fees After Owner Fails to Retrieve Pleasure Vessel
In addition to the unpaid repair invoices, the lawsuit highlights an ongoing storage dispute at the Miami boatyard located at 11320 NW 7th Avenue. Knight Custom Marine, the corporate owner of the boatyard facility, provides commercial vessel storage services and has been housing the 36-foot Pursuit since the repair work wrapped up in late 2024. The complaint notes that conspicuous signage is prominently displayed throughout the boatyard facility, clearly alerting all clients that vessel storage fees accumulate at a flat rate of 75.00 dollars per day immediately upon the completion of any mechanical or hull services.
The plaintiffs state that this widespread yard signage provided clear, legal, and unambiguous notice to the vessel owner regarding the daily storage rates. Because the owner has repeatedly refused or failed to take possession of his property, the vessel has remained docked at the South Florida facility for hundreds of days. As of the filing date of the lawsuit, the accumulated storage fees alone have reached an extensive total of 42,600.00 dollars, with the daily rate continuing to mount each day the vessel occupies physical space in the yard.
Plaintiffs File Federal Admiralty Complaint to Foreclose Maritime Liens for Necessaries and Demand Vessel Arrest
The legal action brings forward multiple counts under federal admiralty jurisdiction, including breach of contract against the owner individually and foreclosure of maritime liens for necessaries directly against the vessel. Under the Federal Maritime Liens Act, any commercial entity providing necessary services, repairs, supplies, or drydock storage to a vessel on the order of the owner establishes a valid maritime lien against that vessel. The plaintiffs assert that both the mechanical repair work and the subsequent yard storage legally qualify as necessaries under federal maritime statutes.
Because the outstanding balances remain uncollected, the marine businesses have requested that the federal court issue an official warrant for arrest in rem, which would authorize the United States Marshal Service to take physical custody of the 36-foot Pursuit vessel. If the owner fails to satisfy the outstanding liens in a timely manner, the plaintiffs intend to move for an order directing the United States Marshal to sell the vessel at a public auction to satisfy the combined debt of 50,400.00 dollars, along with accumulating interest and legal fees. The businesses note that the boatyard has limited capacity, and the uncollected vessel is actively preventing them from servicing paying clientele.
Contact a South Florida Maritime Lien and Vessel Storage Lawyer Today to Protect Your Commercial Marine Business
Commercial boatyards, marine mechanics, and vessel storage facilities face significant financial strain when boat owners abandon their vessels or refuse to pay for necessary repairs. Federal maritime law provides strong legal remedies, including the ability to arrest a vessel and foreclose on a maritime lien, ensuring that marine service providers receive compensation for their labor, parts, and yard space. If your marine business is dealing with unpaid repair invoices, breach of maritime contracts, or abandoned vessels occupying your slips or dry docks, contacting an experienced maritime attorney can help you assert your legal rights swiftly.
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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.
