Safe Harbor Marinas Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over Alleged Deceptive Billing Practices

A national class action lawsuit has been filed against Safe Harbor Marinas, LLC and SHM Charleston Boatyard, LLC, alleging deceptive billing practices that have affected yacht owners across the United States. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina Charleston Division, claims that the defendants engaged in a 'bait-and-switch' scheme to inflate customer invoices through unauthorized charges.

Cristina Pierson, a partner at Kelley | Uustal, the law firm representing the plaintiffs, stated, 'We believe there are many more yacht owners who have been victims of this same overbilling scheme who will be entitled to relief through this lawsuit.' The lawsuit seeks damages and restitution for affected boat owners, highlighting a coercive 'cash for splash' policy that requires customers to pay in full before their vessel can leave the marina.

Safe Harbor Marinas, which operates 138 marinas in approximately 24 states, is accused of systematically implementing these deceptive practices across its national network. The plaintiff, Miami Charter Yacht, LLC, experienced these practices firsthand when their yacht, the 'Vasiliki,' was subjected to unauthorized surcharges and fees during repairs at Safe Harbor's Charleston facility.

The lawsuit includes claims for 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 plaintiffs are seeking a trial by jury, along with monetary damages, restitution, and injunctive relief for themselves and the proposed class of affected customers.