Miami Company Sues Yacht Captain for Damaging $3.2M Vessel During Unauthorized Charter in the Bahamas
MPM, a Miami-based yacht charter and management company, has filed a maritime lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida against yacht captain Ron Yeffet. The case, docketed under Case No. 1:25-cv-23774-BB, alleges that Yeffet, while acting as captain of the luxury motor yacht Bella, caused significant mechanical damage to the vessel during an unauthorized charter operation in the Bahamas in June 2024.
Yacht Charter Company Claims Captain Conducted Unauthorized Trip and Caused Engine Overload While Operating M/Y Bella
According to the complaint, MPM serves as the commercial manager of the M/Y Bella, a 92-foot luxury motor yacht valued at approximately $3.2 million. On June 13, 2024, the Bella allegedly embarked on a charter to Bimini, Bahamas—despite the fact that MPM claims it did not authorize the voyage.
While en route, Yeffet is accused of operating the vessel’s twin MTU diesel engines at excessively high RPMs, resulting in catastrophic overheating and failure of the starboard engine’s turbocharger. The lawsuit alleges that Yeffet’s negligent operation of the vessel ignored manufacturer guidelines and MPM directives regarding maximum cruising speeds, engine loading, and safe mechanical tolerances.
Lawsuit Alleges Captain Ron Yeffet Breached Duties and Caused Over $200K in Damage to Superyacht’s Engine
MPM asserts that the mechanical damage caused by Yeffet’s operation of the Bella required immediate removal, repair, and reinstallation of the engine’s turbocharger system. The cost of repairs allegedly exceeded $200,000. In addition to out-of-pocket losses, MPM claims it suffered reputational harm, downtime losses, and lost charter revenue while the Bella was out of service.
The complaint brings a single count of negligence under maritime law, arguing that Yeffet owed a duty of reasonable care and prudent seamanship as a licensed captain. His failure to adhere to safe operational procedures, combined with conducting an allegedly unauthorized charter, forms the basis of MPM’s claim for damages.
Yacht Damage Claims Fall Under Federal Admiralty Jurisdiction When Involving Navigational Negligence and Offshore Incidents
This case falls under the federal admiralty jurisdiction of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, which commonly hears maritime negligence cases involving chartered yachts, commercial vessels, and other sea-going operations. MPM alleges that the Bella’s damage occurred on navigable waters during interstate and international travel—conditions that trigger federal maritime law.
The suit also notes that Yeffet, who resides in Florida, has had prior dealings with the Bella and was familiar with MPM’s charter policies and mechanical limitations for the vessel. MPM is seeking compensatory damages, including repair costs, consequential damages for lost use, and other losses caused by the Bella’s temporary inoperability.
Maritime Law Protects Vessel Owners From Damage Caused by Negligent Captains and Unauthorized Operations
Under general maritime law, vessel owners and charter managers may hold captains personally liable for negligent navigation, overloading of machinery, or operating outside the scope of authorized use. When mechanical damage results from breaches of operational protocols or safety practices, courts may award damages for repairs and downtime.
If you are a yacht owner or charter company whose vessel was damaged due to negligent operation, unauthorized use, or engine overloading by a captain or crew member, legal remedies may be available under federal admiralty law.
Contact us now to speak with a maritime vessel damage 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.
