New York Boat Owner Sued by Insurers After Captain Sustains Injuries Aboard Vessel M/Y Aye Arr Arr
A group of maritime insurers has filed a federal lawsuit against Eugene Yoon, a resident of New York, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The case, filed under Case No. 0:26-cv-60313-DMM, seeks a declaratory judgment to void a marine insurance policy following an injury involving the vessel’s captain. The insurers, including Accelerant Specialty Insurance Company and Hadron Specialty Insurance Company, claim the policy should be declared null and void from its inception due to alleged misrepresentations made during the application and renewal process.
Marine Insurers Seek to Void Policy Following Captain’s Injury on 55 Foot Okean Yacht
The dispute stems from an incident on July 6, 2025, involving David Pandorf, the captain and named operator of the 2022 55 foot Okean motor yacht named Aye Arr Arr. According to the complaint, Mr. Pandorf sustained injuries while cleaning the vessel. Following the report of the loss, the insurance companies initiated an investigation into the claim and the underlying risks associated with the policy. The insurers allege that the boat owner, Eugene Yoon, breached the maritime doctrine of uberrimae fidei, which translates to utmost good faith. This long-standing principle requires an insured party to disclose all facts material to the insurance risk, even those not specifically asked about by the carrier.
Lawsuit Alleges Boat Owner Failed to Disclose Captain’s History of Boating and Traffic Violations
The core of the legal challenge rests on allegations that significant information regarding the captain’s history was withheld. The insurers claim that in both the original 2022 application and a 2025 renewal questionnaire, Yoon was asked to provide details on all losses over the previous ten years for any named operator. The complaint alleges that Yoon failed to disclose several criminal and traffic infractions involving Mr. Pandorf. These incidents reportedly include a 2016 conviction for careless operation of a vessel in Broward County, Florida, as well as multiple speeding violations in various jurisdictions, including one for speeding in a manatee zone in Miami Dade County.
Investigation Reveals Undisclosed Personal Injury History and Vessel Residency Misrepresentations
In addition to the driving and boating record, the insurers allege that several prior personal injury incidents involving Mr. Pandorf were not disclosed. The complaint lists four separate dates between 2017 and 2025 where the captain was reportedly injured in various accidents, including being hit by vehicles while on a bicycle and as a passenger in an Uber, as well as an injury sustained while boarding a vessel. Furthermore, the insurers claim Yoon misrepresented the residency status of the yacht. While the application stated that no one resided aboard the vessel full-time, the investigation allegedly revealed that Captain Pandorf was using the Aye Arr Arr as a full-time residence.
Insurers Claim Breach of Policy Conditions and Maritime Law Renders Yacht Coverage Void
The legal filing asserts that had the insurance companies known about the captain’s prior losses and his full-time residency on the boat, they would have declined to issue the policy, charged a different premium, or offered different terms. By failing to provide this material information, the insurers argue that Yoon breached General Condition XIII of the policy, which states the contract is null and void in the event of non-disclosure or misrepresentation. The plaintiffs are asking the court to declare that there is no coverage for the July 2025 incident and that the policy was never validly in effect due to these omissions.
Contact a Maritime Insurance Law Attorney if You Face a Coverage Dispute or Vessel Injury Claim
Maritime insurance disputes often involve complex doctrines like utmost good faith and specific policy conditions that can jeopardize coverage after a serious accident. Whether you are dealing with a vessel owner’s liability, a crew member’s injury, or a denied marine insurance claim, it is essential to have legal guidance that understands the nuances of admiralty law. If you are navigating a legal challenge related to a yacht accident or an insurance coverage dispute, contact our team of experienced maritime lawyers to discuss your rights.
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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.
