Safe Harbor Marinas faces lawsuit citing alleged "unconscionable" billing practices

Marina operator Safe Harbor Marinas (and its subsidiary SHM Charleston Boatyard) is facing a national class action lawsuit over claims of deceptive and "unconscionable" billing practices at its marina facilities. 

The complaint, submitted by former customer yacht management company Miami Yacht Charter (the Plaintiff), alleges that Safe Harbor Marinas extorted additional money from the company through "inflated invoices" and "bait and switch" tactics, resulting in the Plaintiff paying an additional, unauthorised amount in excess of $70,000. The lawsuit also seeks to represent approximately 100 yacht owners and customers, who Miami Yacht Charter claims to have also been adversely affected by these billing practices.

The filing relates to a period of maintenance work the 23.8-metre Sanlorenzo yacht Vasiliki undertook at one of Safe Harbor Marinas' venues from October 2024 to May 2025. Operated by the Plaintiff as a private charter yacht, Safe Harbor Marinas was contracted after Vasiliki suffered "serious engine failure" while cruising. 

An initial work order of $248,753.55 was agreed upon, with Safe Harbor Marinas allegedly raising this order to $248,753.55 and then $312,976.76, preventing the yacht from going on her sea trials and leaving the marina until the full sum had been paid. These surcharges allegedly included "fictitious charges unrelated to actual services rendered", such as "environmental charges" and an additional 10 per cent for work performed by third-party operators.

"The Plaintiff was desperate to have its vessel released, having already lost substantial revenues during the prolonged repairs that were inordinately delayed by Defendants," read the filing. "[Ultimately], the Plaintiff was pressured and mandated to pay based on the company’s rigorously enforced 'cash for splash' policy."

The lawsuit cites unfair trade practices, unjust enrichment, breach of contract and breach of covenant of good faith. A court date is yet to be set.

BOAT International has reached out to Safe Harbor Marinas for further comment.

With a network of 130 marinas across the US and Puerto Rico, Safe Harbor represents one of the largest marina and superyacht servicing businesses in the region.

Until its sale this year to Blackstone Infrastructure for $5.65 billion, Safe Harbor Marinas was a wholly owned subsidiary of a real estate investment trust, Sun Communities, Inc.