A national class action lawsuit has been filed against Safe Harbor Marinas, LLC and SHM Charleston Boatyard, LLC, accusing them of deceptive corporate practices that allegedly inflated customer invoices through unauthorized charges. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina Charleston Division, represents Miami Charter Yacht, LLC and affected customers nationwide, highlighting a pattern of behavior that could have widespread implications for the maritime industry.
The complaint alleges that Safe Harbor Marinas engaged in 'bait-and-switch' tactics, adding improper and unauthorized charges to final bills. Cristina Pierson, a Partner at Kelley | Uustal, stated, 'We filed this class action lawsuit challenging Safe Harbor Marinas' pattern of inflating customer invoices with unauthorized and deceptive charges unrelated to work they actually performed.' The lawsuit also criticizes the marina's 'cash for splash' policy, which requires customers to pay in full before their vessel can leave the marina, further exacerbating the issue.
Safe Harbor Marinas, which operates 138 marinas across approximately 24 states, is accused of implementing these deceptive practices systematically across its national network. The lawsuit seeks damages, restitution, and injunctive relief for affected boat owners, alleging breach of contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, unjust enrichment, and violation of South Carolina's Unfair Trade Practices Act.
The case underscores the importance of transparency and fairness in the maritime services industry, potentially setting a precedent for how similar disputes are handled in the future. For yacht owners and maritime service consumers, the outcome of this lawsuit could lead to more stringent regulations and practices to prevent overbilling and ensure that services rendered are accurately and fairly billed.
