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Yacht Owner Files Limitation of Liability Petition After Fire Aboard M/Y Morning Dew Damages Multiple Vessels at North Palm Beach Marina
Florida yacht owner Paul McKeough has filed a federal maritime petition seeking exoneration or limitation of liability after a fire aboard his 53-foot motor yacht Morning Dew allegedly damaged several other vessels and parts of Safe Harbor Marina in North Palm Beach. The case, In the Matter of the Complaint of Paul McKeough (Case No. 9:25-cv-80392-AMC), invokes the Shipowners’ Limitation of Liability Act, asserting that the fire occurred without McKeough’s privity or knowledge.
Fire Breaks Out on Docked Yacht at Safe Harbor Marina, Causing Multi-Vessel Damage
According to the petition, the incident occurred on the night of February 13, 2025, while the Morning Dew was moored at Slip 62 of Safe Harbor Marina. The vessel, a 2021 53′ Maritimo M51 Cruiser, was occupied by McKeough and his wife when it suddenly caught fire. Emergency services responded, but the vessel suffered extensive fire and water damage before sinking partially.
The cause of the fire remains undetermined. While no injuries were reported, McKeough acknowledges that at least four other vessels and the marina itself were affected by the blaze. Potential claimants include:
- Robert and Bonnie Gayton – 1980 Tayana Vancouver 42 Sailboat
- Scott Walker – 2017 Leopard CAT 48
- Heinrich Gugger – Azimut 54
- Craig Pittinger – 2020 Palm Beach 55
- Safe Harbor Marina, North Palm Beach
Yacht Owner Seeks Exoneration or Liability Cap to Zero Based on Total Loss of Vessel
McKeough claims that he exercised due diligence to ensure the Morning Dew was seaworthy and properly maintained. He seeks complete exoneration or, in the alternative, limitation of liability under 46 U.S.C. § 30501 et seq., asserting that any alleged negligence occurred without his knowledge or fault.
Key points include:
- The yacht was fully engulfed and suffered a total loss; its post-casualty value is listed as $0.00.
- McKeough has filed an Ad Interim Stipulation of Value with the court.
- He asserts the vessel was manned, maintained, and outfitted in a manner consistent with industry standards.
- No civil suits or formal claims had been filed as of the date of the petition.
What Is a Limitation of Liability Action Under Maritime Law?
The Limitation of Liability Act allows a vessel owner to limit financial liability to the post-casualty value of the vessel and pending freight, provided the owner can prove the incident occurred without their “privity or knowledge.”
This rarely invoked but powerful maritime doctrine is often used:
- After marine accidents involving fire, collisions, or groundings
- When vessel owners face multiple claims from third parties
- To consolidate all claims into a single federal proceeding under Supplemental Admiralty Rule F
If granted, the limitation may cap McKeough’s total financial liability at $0, based on the vessel’s destruction.
Yacht Fire Raises Questions About Marina Risk Management and Insurance Claims
Although the Morning Dew was a private recreational vessel, the fire’s spread to neighboring boats and marina property raises broader liability and insurance issues:
- Did Safe Harbor Marina have fire suppression protocols?
- Were any electrical or fuel systems aboard the Morning Dew improperly maintained?
- Will impacted vessel owners contest the limitation or assert gross negligence?
Legal experts note that marina fires, while relatively rare, often lead to multi-party litigation involving yacht insurers, marinas, and vessel owners.
Involved in a Boating Accident or Marina Fire? Know Your Rights Under Admiralty Law
If you’ve suffered property damage or injury due to a yacht fire or marina incident, you may have legal options—even if the vessel owner seeks to limit liability.
Under U.S. admiralty law, claimants can challenge limitation petitions by proving:
- Negligence or unseaworthiness was within the owner’s knowledge
- The incident was preventable through ordinary care
- The owner failed to meet required safety standards
Contact a maritime attorney to protect your interests in limitation proceedings and ensure your claim is timely filed in federal court.