Florida Maritime Company Sues Yacht Owners Over Unpaid Storage and Repair Fees for Azimut Vessel in Fort Lauderdale
Yacht Management South Florida, Inc., a marine service facility based in Fort Lauderdale, has initiated a federal maritime lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida against Biscayne Yacht & Ship, Inc., corporate principal Mazyer “Mike” Hatami, and the motor yacht Love Life. The action, filed under Case No. 0:26-cv-62715-RS, seeks to foreclose a maritime lien and recover substantial damages arising from years of unpaid dockage, yard storage, and vessel support services totaling more than $400,000.
South Florida Boatyard Asserts Maritime Lien on Azimut Motor Yacht Over Massive Unpaid Dockage and Repair Bill
The controversy centers on the M/Y Love Life, a 2014 55-foot Azimut motor yacht that has been berthed and serviced at the plaintiff’s Fort Lauderdale boatyard facility along West State Road 84 since July 2022. According to the verified complaint, the vessel’s corporate owner, Biscayne Yacht & Ship, Inc., along with Coral Gables resident Mazyer Hatami, executed a formal vessel service agreement authorizing the boatyard to supply necessary labor, marine materials, storage space, and related utility services while the vessel underwent extensive repair work. Although services were continuously rendered and regular monthly invoices were generated, the boatyard claims that payments abruptly ceased in early 2023. The plaintiff asserts that it has not received payments for storage and dockage since March 1, 2023, leaving an unpaid balance that exceeded $401,375.78 by the end of August 2026.
Federal Maritime Complaint Details Mounting Storage Fees and Accruing Interest for Luxury Vessel
In its filing under federal admiralty jurisdiction, the marine facility outlines the ongoing financial consequences of maintaining custody of the 55-foot luxury vessel. The complaint states that the motor yacht continues to occupy physical boatyard space, which prevents the facility from utilizing the slip and yard area for other paying commercial customers. Under the operative service agreement, the vessel continues to accrue storage charges at an ongoing rate of $313.82 per calendar day throughout the course of the litigation. In addition, the plaintiff maintains that interest is accruing on the past-due amounts at an annual rate of twelve percent, alongside accumulated legal fees and court costs that the owners contractually agreed to pay in the event of default.
Lawsuit Seeks Judicial Arrest and Foreclosure of Maritime Lien Under Federal Admiralty Rules
The lawsuit asserts three distinct counts, leading with an action to foreclose a maritime lien for necessaries under Title 46 of the United States Code and Supplemental Rule C of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Because storage, utility access, and repair accommodations constitute essential necessaries provided directly to the vessel at the request of its authorized management, the plaintiff maintains it holds an enforceable in rem lien against the Azimut itself. Through this claim, the boatyard petitions the federal court to issue a warrant of arrest against the M/Y Love Life, have the vessel condemned, and direct a judicial auction so the proceeds can be applied toward the outstanding debt. The plaintiff also requests leave to credit bid the full value of its lien during any court-ordered marshal sale.
Yacht Owners Face Claims for Breach of Maritime Contract and Unjust Enrichment
Beyond the in rem proceedings directed at the physical yacht, the plaintiff brings in personam claims against Biscayne Yacht & Ship, Inc. and Mazyer Hatami for breach of maritime contract and, alternatively, unjust enrichment. The filing contends that both defendants entered into a binding maritime agreement and promised prompt monthly payment in exchange for shipyard services. By accepting the dockage, environmental waste disposal, and utility maintenance without tendering fair payment for over three years, the defendants allegedly secured substantial commercial value at the expense of the boatyard. The complaint requests a joint and several money judgment covering the entire unpaid sum, ongoing per diem fees, contractual interest, and legal costs.
Maritime Law and Vessel Arrest Remedies for Boat Owners and Marine Service Providers
Disputes involving boatyard agreements, unpaid repair bills, and maritime liens fall under the specialized jurisdiction of federal admiralty law. Commercial facilities and vessel operators must navigate strict contractual terms and statutory requirements when resolving contested service fees, salvage rights, or maritime lien foreclosure proceedings. When high-value maritime contracts are breached or vessels are abandoned at repair docks, experienced maritime counsel is critical to protecting proprietary rights and securing financial recovery under federal admiralty procedures. If you are confronting complex maritime contract issues or operational disputes, our team of maritime attorneys is prepared to assist you.
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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.
