Florida Marine Salvage Company Sues Yacht Owner After Heroic Fire Rescue at Miami Beach Marina
Fast Response Marine Towing and Salvage, a professional maritime service provider based in Florida, has filed a federal maritime lawsuit against the vessel M/V Impulsive and its owner, Vanquish Holdings Ltd. The complaint, filed in the Southern District of Florida under Case No. 1:26-cv-20468-PCH, seeks a significant salvage award following a high-stakes emergency operation. The plaintiff alleges that its quick-thinking employee saved the nearly two million dollar luxury yacht from certain destruction during a marina fire on May 17, 2025.
Professional Salvor Prevents Luxury Yacht from Catching Fire During Major Miami Beach Marina Blaze
The incident began when a vessel docked in slip G6 at the Miami Beach Marina caught fire, with flames quickly escaping through its engine room vents. The M/V Impulsive, a 58 foot Vanquish sport cruiser, was moored in the adjacent slip and sat directly downwind of the burning boat. According to the maritime complaint, the Impulsive was within arm’s reach of the active fire and faced an imminent risk of ignition. Because the yacht was unable to move under its own power at the time of the emergency, it was essentially a sitting duck for the spreading flames. Fast Response dispatched employee Bryant Niebruegge to the scene, who arrived within minutes to find the area engulfed in smoke.
Heroic Rescue Efforts Involve Life Safety Risks and Urgent Vessel Relocation to Create Fire Break
Upon arrival, the salvor recognized that the Impulsive was in immediate marine peril. To prevent the fire from jumping to the Impulsive and potentially spreading to the rest of the pier, Niebruegge braved the heat and smoke to board the vessel. The lawsuit describes how the salvor placed himself at risk of serious injury or death by approaching from downwind of the uncontrolled blaze. Utilizing professional skills and specialized equipment, he successfully extricated the yacht from its slip and towed it to a safe location. This action not only saved the multimillion dollar vessel but also created a vital fire break that protected other property at the Miami Beach Marina. Once the yacht was out of danger, it was secured at a nearby pier and left in the custody of marina staff while local fire departments worked to extinguish the original blaze.
Plaintiff Seeks Significant Salvage Award Based on High Fair Market Value of M/V Impulsive
Fast Response argues that its efforts were entirely successful and voluntary, meeting the legal criteria for a pure salvage award under general maritime law. The complaint notes that the Impulsive suffered only minimal damage and never caught fire thanks to the intervention. As the yacht is currently listed for sale with a fair market value of approximately 1,900,000.00 dollars, the plaintiff is claiming a salvage award of at least 304,000.00 dollars. This figure represents a percentage of the value of the property saved from total loss. The lawsuit also requests that the court issue a warrant for the arrest of the vessel to enforce a maritime salvage lien, which could lead to a Marshal’s auction if the award is not paid or secured.
Yacht Owner Accused of Bad Faith for Willful Refusal to Pay Clearly Owed Maritime Salvage Fees
Beyond the salvage award itself, the plaintiff is seeking attorney’s fees and costs, alleging that Vanquish Holdings Ltd. has acted in bad faith. The complaint asserts that the defendants have willfully and persistently refused to pay what is plainly owed for the successful rescue services. Under established admiralty law precedents, such as those involving maritime liens and salvage rights, a court may award legal fees when a party refuses to settle a clear debt for services rendered. The plaintiff emphasizes that there was no pre-existing contract between the parties, making this a classic case of pure salvage where the reward is determined by the risk taken and the value of the property preserved.
Contact a Miami Maritime Salvage and Yacht Insurance Lawyer Today if Your Property Faces Marine Peril
Vessel owners and salvage companies involved in emergency maritime operations must navigate complex federal laws to protect their financial interests. Whether it involves fire rescue, towing a disabled vessel, or recovering a wreck, maritime salvage law provides specific frameworks for compensation based on the success of the rescue and the value of the assets saved. If you are involved in a dispute regarding salvage awards, maritime liens, or vessel arrests in Florida waters, it is essential to seek guidance from experienced maritime attorneys. Our team is dedicated to helping clients understand the intricacies of admiralty jurisdiction and ensuring that those who risk their lives and equipment to save property at sea are fairly compensated.
Contact us now to speak with a maritime and yacht insurance 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.
