The house owners of a yacht repaired at Protected Harbor Metropolis Boatyard in South Carolina have filed a lawsuit in opposition to Protected Harbor Marinas and the shipyard. They declare the yard engaged in misleading billing practices, overcharging via improper additional prices.
Filed on June 6, the criticism is a category motion lawsuit that thus far has only one plaintiff. Particularly, the plaintiff is Miami Yacht Constitution, which owns the 76-foot (23-meter) Vasiliki. The lawsuit signifies that in late October 2024, the yacht skilled critical engine issues close to Charleston. Vasiliki headed to Protected Harbor Metropolis Boatyard. There, the proprietor agreed to a piece order for roughly $218,500. On April 9, 2025, two days earlier than sea trials, the yard wished the total remaining steadiness. It said that the yacht couldn’t depart the services in any other case. Miami Yacht Constitution claims the work order introduced at the moment had elevated, to upwards of $248,750, with unauthorized quantities. Nevertheless, wanting the yacht again after delays, Miami Yacht Constitution agreed to wire the steadiness.
Then, upon planning ultimate departure on Could 9, the corporate claims it obtained “a ‘ultimate’ work order demanding much more ‘add-on’ charges and costs that weren’t approved by the preliminary work order or well timed disclosed.” In keeping with the criticism, the brand new whole was almost $313,000. Miami Yacht Constitution signifies the sum included 10-percent surcharges for work by third events that it employed and paid immediately. Moreover, it claims the entire included “fictitious costs unrelated to precise providers.” The entire moreover mirrored “deceptively labeled ‘environmental costs’ unrelated to any precise environmental expenditures documented.”
The authorized group representing the proprietor of Vasiliki says the lawsuit in opposition to Protected Harbor Marinas, not simply the boartyard, displays a central company coverage. “We imagine there are various extra yacht house owners who’ve been victims of this identical overbilling scheme who will probably be entitled to reduction via this lawsuit,” explains Cristina M. Peirson, a companion at Kelley/Uustal.
We reached out to Protected Harbor Marinas for remark. A spokesperson says, “The allegations are obviously unfaithful, and we look ahead to vigorously defending ourselves..”
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