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Yacht Arrest Looms: US Ocean Sues for $650K Over Luxury Yacht Transport Dispute
Case Style: US Ocean, LLC v. M/Y La Luna (In Rem)
Case No.: 0:25-cv-60671
Filed: April 7, 2025
Court: U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida (Admiralty Jurisdiction)
Plaintiff: US Ocean, LLC (Louisiana-based shipping company)
Defendant: In Rem — M/Y La Luna, a 2021 Sanlorenzo 34.14m motor yacht (Cayman Islands flagged)
Maritime Lien Filed Against 34-Meter Yacht “La Luna” in Florida Over Alleged Unpaid Freight and Demurrage Charges
- US Ocean contracted with the yacht’s owner (via Legend Yacht Transport USA) to transport La Luna from Genoa, Italy to Port Everglades, Florida.
- The total agreed freight was $1.2 million, with $600,000 still allegedly unpaid.
- An additional $51,236.11 in demurrage charges also remains outstanding.
- Despite multiple demands, the yacht’s owner has failed to pay.
- US Ocean seeks to foreclose on its maritime lien and arrest the vessel under Supplemental Rule C.
Breach of Carriage Contract & Maritime Lien Enforcement
Count I – Breach of Contract of Carriage
- La Luna allegedly ratified the Sea Waybill and Voyage Charterparty by accepting transport services and benefitting from ocean freight services.
- Plaintiff claims breach for non-payment of the balance due.
Count II – Maritime Lien under CIMLA
- US Ocean asserts a maritime lien under the Commercial Instruments and Maritime Liens Act (CIMLA), 46 U.S.C. § 31342, for “necessaries” including ocean freight and demurrage.
- Plaintiff requests judicial arrest and sale of La Luna to satisfy the lien.
Relief Sought:
- Warrant of arrest and seizure of La Luna by the U.S. Marshals Service.
- Judicial sale of the vessel to cover:
- $600,000 in unpaid freight,
- $51,236.11 in demurrage,
- Attorneys’ fees, costs, and pre-/post-judgment interest.
Trend Watch: Rising Use of Rule C Arrests in Superyacht Transport Disputes
Key Takeaways:
- Superyacht logistics increasingly involve high-value, cross-border contracts vulnerable to payment disputes.
- When disputes arise, in rem arrest under Rule C provides a powerful tool for service providers to secure payment directly from the vessel itself.
- CIMLA ensures that freight and demurrage qualify as “necessaries,” strengthening lien claims.
Similar Maritime Trends:
- Recent uptick in Rule C vessel arrests across U.S. ports, especially in South Florida, due to the region’s status as a global yachting hub.
- Charterparty and logistics disputes tied to luxury assets are triggering litigation involving arrest warrants and public auction sales.
What This Means for Vessel Owners, Brokers, and Carriers
- Vessel owners should be aware that payment defaults can lead to arrest and judicial sale of their yacht—even if the vessel is flagged offshore.
- Transport carriers and brokers must document services and contracts thoroughly to preserve lien rights.
- Legal counsel should be engaged early when freight invoices go unpaid or when a lien may be necessary to secure a claim.
Call Today
If you’re a maritime service provider or vessel operator dealing with unpaid invoices or transport disputes, consult an admiralty attorney.
Federal law gives you powerful tools—including maritime liens and vessel arrests—to enforce your rights.
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