Two former crew members of the 67.5-metre superyacht Loon have filed a negligence complaint against Captain Paul Clarke following a disastrous tender crash in Saint Barthélemy last year (December 2024).
Court documents 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.
Six Injured Following Tender Crash in the Caribbean
The force of the collision caused one of the plaintiffs – Natalia Niznik – to be ejected from the vessel, landing on the rocks and sustaining injuries to her face, leg, and jaw. The other plaintiff, Klara Holubova, remained on the tender but still suffered 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.
Legal Action and Claims
As a result, the pair are pursuing damages in excess of $100,000, citing the expense of hospitalisation, medical costs, 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. According to the attached summons, Clarke has 20 days to submit a written response.
Impact on Superyacht Loon
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.
The case continues to develop, with further legal proceedings anticipated as Clarke prepares his response to the allegations.
