Florida Salvage Company Sues $1.2M Yacht Breaking All Barriers for Unpaid Tow and Salvage Fees After Grounding Incident
Auto Rescue of South Florida, Inc., a marine towing and salvage company based in Broward County, has filed a federal admiralty lawsuit against the 73-foot motor yacht Breaking All Barriers in the Southern District of Florida. The in rem action, filed under Case No. 0:25-cv-61699-RKA, seeks over $86,000 in compensation for emergency salvage services rendered when the yacht allegedly ran aground in shallow waters near the Port Everglades Inlet.
Luxury Yacht Allegedly Grounded and Took on Water After Attempting to Exit Port Everglades Channel Without Proper Pilotage
According to the complaint, on July 3, 2024, the M/Y Breaking All Barriers departed the Port Everglades Inlet and attempted to navigate offshore near the entrance channel without a licensed harbor pilot or towing escort. While attempting to maneuver past a shallow area just east of the jetties, the vessel allegedly struck the sandy bottom and became stuck.
The complaint states that the grounding caused the yacht to list heavily and begin taking on water. Aboard were the vessel’s owner and guests, with the vessel reported to be in “imminent peril of sinking” when Auto Rescue was contacted for emergency assistance. At the time of the incident, the yacht had an estimated market value of $1.2 million.
Auto Rescue Performed Emergency Salvage Operation Using Divers, Lift Bags, and Pumps to Refloat Stricken Yacht
Auto Rescue alleges that it responded immediately with a salvage crew, dive team, multiple support vessels, high-volume dewatering pumps, air lift bags, and specialized towing equipment. The operation required multiple hours to free the grounded vessel from the sandbar and stabilize it for safe movement back to port.
The complaint describes the services as a “voluntary maritime salvage operation” under established admiralty principles. Auto Rescue claims its efforts prevented the yacht from being lost, further damaged, or posing an environmental hazard.
The company invoiced the yacht’s owner for $86,332.73 but alleges the bill remains unpaid despite repeated demands. Auto Rescue is seeking to enforce a maritime lien under federal admiralty law and has requested the arrest of the vessel.
Lawsuit Seeks Arrest and Judicial Sale of Yacht to Satisfy Unpaid Salvage Claim
Auto Rescue filed the lawsuit in rem against the vessel itself, invoking Rule C of the Supplemental Admiralty Rules. The claim asserts that under federal maritime law, a salvor is entitled to a lien on the vessel it saves and may seek its arrest and judicial sale to satisfy an unpaid salvage award.
The complaint asks the court to:
- Issue a warrant for the arrest of the M/Y Breaking All Barriers
- Authorize the U.S. Marshal to take custody of the vessel
- Sell the yacht at public auction if the salvage debt is not paid
- Award Auto Rescue the full invoice amount, plus interest, costs, and attorney’s fees
Auto Rescue also requests that the court declare its lien superior to any subsequent claims and that the proceeds from the sale of the vessel be applied to satisfy its claim before any others.
Maritime Law Grants Salvors the Right to Recover Compensation and Assert Liens on Vessels They Save
Under the general maritime law of salvage, companies that voluntarily save vessels from marine peril—such as grounding, fire, collision, or sinking—are entitled to a fair reward based on the value of the vessel, the risk involved, and the skill and effort required.
If a vessel owner fails to pay, the salvor can enforce its lien by filing an in rem action and seeking arrest of the vessel through the U.S. Marshals Service. This legal tool ensures salvors are compensated for emergency services that often protect valuable assets from total loss.
Contact us now if you are involved in a maritime salvage dispute, towing claim, or yacht lien enforcement matter.
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.
