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Maritime Lien Lawsuit Targets Yacht in Florida Over Asset Transfers Tied to $20M Towage Contract Judgment
Cardinal Marine, LLC has filed a verified maritime complaint seeking to attach the vessel F/V JUST ONE MORE—a yacht allegedly purchased and maintained with fraudulently diverted funds from Corbett Aggregates Companies, LLC. The $20 million lawsuit stems from an unpaid judgment in a prior breach of maritime towage contract litigation.
The vessel is currently located in Riviera Beach, Florida, and the plaintiff is pursuing Rule B attachment under maritime law to seize the yacht as security for the outstanding debt.
Cardinal Marine v. Corbett Aggregates and Just One More LLC – Rule B Maritime Attachment Lawsuit Explained
Case Title: Cardinal Marine, LLC v. Corbett Aggregates Companies, LLC et al.
Case Number: 9:25-cv-80426
Filing Date: April 2, 2025
Jurisdiction: U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida (In Admiralty)
Plaintiff: Cardinal Marine, LLC (New Jersey)
Defendants: Corbett Aggregates Companies, LLC (CAC), FV Just One More LLC
Vessel at Issue: F/V JUST ONE MORE (Official No. 1228775), docked at Viking Service Center, Riviera Beach, FL
Allegations of Asset Concealment and Alter Ego Liability to Avoid $20 Million Maritime Judgment
History of the Maritime Contract Dispute
- In 2016, Cardinal Marine sued CAC in New Jersey federal court over unpaid towage services.
- A partial summary judgment was granted in 2021, establishing CAC’s liability.
- The final settlement, approved by a bankruptcy court in February 2025, confirmed $19.98 million owed to Cardinal.
Fraudulent Conveyance and Asset Protection Scheme Alleged
According to the complaint:
- CAC sold its assets in 2017 for $52 million.
- Roughly $29 million flowed into CAC accounts, but $7.2+ million was then moved into personal accounts held by the owners, Thomas and Kimberly Corbett.
- In 2020, the Corbetts formed FV Just One More LLC, allegedly to funnel these funds and purchase the yacht F/V JUST ONE MORE.
- The yacht was registered under this shell company and extensively upgraded—using CAC’s diverted funds—with no benefit to CAC or its creditors.
Plaintiff Seeks to Pierce the Corporate Veil
Cardinal alleges that Just One More LLC is the alter ego of CAC and was created solely to shield valuable assets from creditors:
- The vessel was purchased and maintained entirely with CAC’s funds.
- Just One More has no business activity, revenue, or operations aside from owning the yacht.
- The Corbetts used the yacht personally while CAC was under financial distress and litigation.
The complaint argues that the vessel is, in effect, CAC’s property and should be subject to seizure under Rule B of the Supplemental Rules for Admiralty or Maritime Claims.
Legal Trends in Maritime Attachment and Fraudulent Conveyance Cases Involving Vessel Ownership
Rule B Attachment: A Powerful Tool for Maritime Creditors
Rule B maritime attachments allow creditors to seize property within a district if the defendant cannot be found locally, offering a way to secure judgments in multi-jurisdictional disputes. Cardinal Marine’s filing reflects a growing trend in:
- Pursuing offshore and concealed assets, including pleasure craft and special purpose entities (SPEs).
- Using alter ego and fraudulent conveyance theories to trace and recover debtor property post-judgment.
Broader Impact on Maritime Creditors and Vessel Transactions
This case could shape how courts treat:
- Shell companies used to buy or hold yachts and vessels.
- Fraudulent transfers involving maritime businesses in financial distress.
- The use of Rule B attachment in bankruptcy-adjacent maritime proceedings, particularly where parallel actions exist in other districts.
The Just One More vessel was actively listed for sale by Denison Yacht Sales, making the timing of Cardinal’s legal action crucial to preventing a dissipation of assets.
Do You Need to Secure a Maritime Judgment or Investigate a Hidden Vessel Asset?
If you’re a creditor seeking to enforce a maritime judgment or suspect fraudulent transfers involving vessel ownership, you have powerful remedies under admiralty law. Maritime Rule B attachment, alter ego liability, and fraudulent conveyance actions can help uncover and seize assets—even across state lines.
📞 Contact a maritime and admiralty law attorney to protect your interests and secure your claims in complex vessel ownership and asset concealment cases.