Yacht Owner Sues Broker to Remove “Improper” Maritime Lien over Boat Show Entry Fees
Integrated Ventures, LLC, the owner of the motor yacht Alchemy, has filed a maritime lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida against Specialized Nautical Services Inc., doing business as Rick Obey Yacht Sales. The complaint, filed as Case No. 9:25-cv-81589-AMC, seeks a judicial declaration that the vessel is not subject to a maritime lien filed by the broker for unpaid boat show entry fees.
Dispute Arises from Rick Obey Yacht Sales’ Maritime Lien for Fort Lauderdale Boat Show Fees
According to the complaint, the vessel owner entered into a Multiple Listing Agreement with Rick Obey Yacht Sales to market the 2003 80-foot Baia Panther motor yacht. The owner alleges that the agreement was specifically modified to require the broker to pay the entry fee for the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. However, after the vessel was listed with another marketing agency, the broker reportedly filed a maritime lien against the vessel’s title for those same entry fees. The owner contends that the sale of the Alchemy is currently being blocked by this “improper” lien, and that the broker has ignored multiple demands to release it.
Lawsuit Argues Marketing Services Do Not Qualify for Maritime Liens under Federal Law
The legal filing asserts that the lien is invalid because marketing services and boat show entry fees do not constitute “necessaries” under federal maritime law. Under 46 U.S.C. Section 31341, a maritime lien may only be placed on a vessel for necessary goods and services such as repairs, supplies, towage, or the use of a dry dock. The owner argues that because the underlying relationship was strictly for marketing purposes, the broker had no legal basis to encumber the vessel’s title. The lawsuit requests that the court order the National Vessel Documentation Center to cancel the lien, as it does not meet the statutory requirements for a maritime claim.
Plaintiff Seeks Recovery of Attorneys’ Fees Alleging Broker’s Lien Lacks Substantial Justification
In addition to seeking the removal of the lien, Integrated Ventures, LLC is claiming attorneys’ fees and costs pursuant to 46 U.S.C. Section 31343(c)(2). The complaint alleges that the broker’s refusal to release the lien is not “substantially justified,” forcing the owner to incur significant legal expenses to clear the vessel’s title. The owner asserts that the broker has continued to maintain the validity of the lien despite the clear nature of the marketing agreement and the statutory limitations on maritime liens.
Contact a Maritime Lien and Vessel Title Lawyer Today if Your Yacht Sale Is Blocked by a Dispute
Vessel owners facing improper liens or title encumbrances should consult with experienced maritime counsel to protect their property rights. Maritime liens are powerful legal tools that can halt the sale of a vessel, but they must be based on legitimate “necessaries” provided to the ship. If you are involved in a dispute with a broker or service provider over a maritime lien, contact our team of maritime attorneys today to explore your legal options for clearing your vessel’s title.
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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.
