Florida Yacht Management Company Sues M/Y Purpose, Yacht Life LLC, and Owner Shelissa Thomas for $44,700 in Unpaid Marine Services
A Florida yacht service company has filed a maritime lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida to foreclose a maritime lien and recover more than $44,000 in unpaid invoices for repairs and services provided to the 55-foot luxury motor yacht M/Y Purpose. The suit, filed by Yacht Management South Florida, Inc., under Case No. 0:25-cv-62069, names the yacht in rem and also brings personal liability claims against both the owning company, Yacht Life LLC, and its alleged operator and signatory, Shelissa Thomas.
Yacht Management Alleges Breach of Maritime Contract for Services on 55′ Sunseeker Motor Yacht
According to the complaint, Yacht Management entered into a written maritime services agreement on January 11, 2023, with Yacht Life LLC, the registered owner of the 2016 Sunseeker motor yacht M/Y Purpose. The contract covered an array of marine services, including mechanical repairs, general maintenance, crewing, and other labor and materials required for upkeep of the vessel. The work was performed in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and was billed through a series of detailed monthly invoices totaling $44,704.72, which remain unpaid.
Yacht Management asserts that defendant Shelissa Thomas signed the contract personally and agreed to be bound by its terms, even if she was not the vessel’s record owner. This personal guarantee language, the complaint says, holds her individually liable for the full unpaid balance under maritime law.
Maritime Lien Filed for Necessaries and Foreclosure Sought Against M/Y Purpose in Admiralty Court
The complaint invokes federal admiralty jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1333 and seeks to enforce a maritime lien for necessaries pursuant to 46 U.S.C. § 31342. Yacht Management claims that the services it provided directly benefitted the vessel, and were provided on its credit, establishing grounds for an in rem action. On October 14, 2025, the company formally recorded its maritime lien with the U.S. Coast Guard’s National Vessel Documentation Center.
In Count I of the lawsuit, Yacht Management seeks to foreclose the lien through the court and requests that the M/Y Purpose be condemned and sold to satisfy the debt. The company also asks the court for prejudgment interest, attorneys’ fees, and costs of litigation as permitted under maritime contract law.
Yacht Owner and Manager Sued Individually for Breach of Contract Over Nonpayment of Invoices
In addition to the foreclosure action against the vessel, the lawsuit also contains breach of maritime contract claims in personam against Yacht Life LLC (Count II) and Shelissa Thomas (Count III). Yacht Management alleges that both defendants materially breached the contract by failing to make timely payments after receiving services and monthly invoices. The complaint states that despite repeated demands for payment, neither Thomas nor Yacht Life has made any attempt to settle the debt.
As a result, the plaintiffs seek the full unpaid amount, plus legal fees, interest, and all other damages allowed under admiralty law.
Lawsuit Highlights Common Legal Disputes in Florida Maritime Industry Over Yacht Repairs and Vessel Maintenance
This case underscores a recurring issue in Florida’s marine services sector: unpaid invoices for high-end yacht maintenance. Under U.S. maritime law, providers of “necessaries”—defined to include repairs, labor, fuel, dockage, and related services—may assert liens against vessels themselves when unpaid. These liens travel with the vessel and may be enforced through judicial sale, even if the boat changes hands.
By naming both the corporate owner and an individual signatory personally, Yacht Management aims to maximize recovery and reinforce contractual obligations in a state known for active charter operations and luxury yachting. The Southern District of Florida remains a hotbed for admiralty litigation, especially involving lien enforcement, breach of maritime contracts, and disputes over vessel maintenance.
Contact a Florida Maritime Lawyer Today for Help With Unpaid Yacht Services or Vessel Liens
If you are a marine services provider, shipyard, or yacht maintenance business dealing with unpaid invoices, you may have a right to assert a maritime lien against the vessel you serviced. Similarly, vessel owners facing lien claims should understand their exposure under maritime contracts. Our experienced Florida admiralty attorneys can help you evaluate your rights and take action to recover damages or defend against claims.
Contact us today to speak with a maritime attorney about enforcing or disputing a vessel lien in Florida.
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.
