Yacht Management Company Sues Owners of M/Y Zippy to Foreclose Maritime Lien for Unpaid Repairs and Services
Yacht Management South Florida, Inc., a Fort Lauderdale-based vessel service provider, has filed a maritime lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida against the 1996 70.8-foot Falcon motor yacht M/Y Zippy, as well as its Alabama-based owners Howard C. Brand III and Tammy L. Brand. The complaint seeks to foreclose a maritime lien for necessaries and recover over $93,000 in unpaid charges for yacht storage, utilities, and extensive repairs.
Yacht Management Claims Contract for Labor, Materials, and Repairs Went Unpaid
According to the verified complaint, on April 8, 2025, the Brands, through their captain, John Rogers, entered into a written maritime service contract with Yacht Management. The agreement called for Yacht Management to provide labor, materials, and other “necessaries” for the M/Y Zippy, including dockage, utilities, mechanical servicing, and structural repairs.
Yacht Management asserts that it fully performed its obligations under the contract, delivering high-quality services at a reasonable price, all of which were approved by the Brands and their captain. However, the company alleges that the owners made only a partial payment of $60,129.36, leaving an outstanding balance of $93,462.16, plus accruing storage and utility fees.
Complaint Seeks to Foreclose Maritime Lien and Force Sale of Vessel
The lawsuit invokes 46 U.S.C. § 31342 and Supplemental Rule C for Admiralty Claims, which allow vessel service providers to assert a maritime lien against a vessel for unpaid “necessaries” and to seek judicial foreclosure of that lien. Yacht Management is asking the court to arrest the M/Y Zippy, require any claimants to appear, and order a judicial sale of the yacht to satisfy the debt. The complaint also requests permission for Yacht Management to credit-bid the amount of its lien at any sale.
Breach of Maritime Contract Allegations Against Vessel Owners
In addition to the in rem claim against the yacht itself, the lawsuit brings an in personam breach of maritime contract claim against Howard and Tammy Brand. Yacht Management alleges the Brands materially breached their written service agreement by failing to pay the remaining balance and that they are liable for damages, attorneys’ fees, and court costs.
Florida Jurisdiction Asserted Over Out-of-State Owners
While the Brands reside in Alabama, the complaint asserts that the Southern District of Florida has jurisdiction based on a forum-selection clause in the service contract, the yacht’s presence in the district, and the owners’ “substantial and not isolated” activities in Florida related to the vessel’s operation and maintenance.
Contact a Maritime Lien and Vessel Arrest Lawyer for Yacht Repair Disputes
Vessel service providers have strong rights under U.S. maritime law to secure payment for labor, materials, dockage, and other necessaries through maritime liens and vessel arrests. Yacht owners facing lien enforcement actions should seek counsel experienced in admiralty foreclosure proceedings. If you are involved in a similar dispute, our maritime attorneys can advise you on protecting your rights.
Contact us now to speak with a maritime lien and vessel arrest 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.
