Brokerage firm IYC has selected Captain Michael James as the new rotational captain for the 67.5-metre Icon superyacht Loon as she continues her charter programme across Croatia. The announcement comes shortly after two former crew members – Natalia Niznik and Klara Holubova – filed a negligence complaint against Loon's former captain Paul Clarke, following a disastrous tender crash in St Barths (24 December).
Court documents obtained by BOAT International describe how Clarke – cited as the "operator" of the tender Reel Time – "abandoned the helm" during their return from a celebratory Christmas lunch at Gypsea Beach Club, leaving the vessel "to continue forward in total darkness" at a cruising speed of between 48 and 51 miles per hour. The tender then collided with a peninsula of rocks, injuring six of the 11 American nationals on board.
The force of the collision caused one of the plaintiffs – Niznik – to be ejected from the vessel, landing on the rocks and sustaining injuries to her face, leg and jaw. The other plaintiff, Holubova, remained on the tender but still sustained injuries to her knee, leg and ear.
The pair each received initial care at a local hospital, though Niznik was later flown to Broward County, Florida, where she began treatment for her more serious injuries. Holubova returned to the Czech Republic for further care.
As a result, the pair are pursuing damages in excess of $100,000, citing the expense of hospitalisation, medical expenses, nursing care and treatment, loss of earnings, impairment of earning capacity and working ability, as well as "mental and psychological trauma".
The complaint was officially filed on 19 March with the Broward County Clerk of Courts in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Clarke has since acknowledged the summons.
Loon is one of the most recognisable superyachts on the social media scene, though all her accounts – including Instagram and YouTube – have become private since the incident occurred.
Captain Michael James, Loon's new captain, has previous experience on board the 63.5-metre Benetti superyacht Moca, Feadship's 57.5-metre Halo and the 51.8-metre Oceanco yacht Joy.
BOAT International will update the story as it develops.