Two former Loon yacht crew are suing the former captain of the superyacht for negligence. They’re seeking upwards of $100,000 for injuries, loss of earning capacity, loss of working ability, and more from an incident last December in St. Barths.
Natalia Niznik and Klara Holubova, each stewardesses and masseuses aboard the yacht last year, filed the lawsuit on March 18. They allege that Paul Clarke, the captain of the 221-footer (68-meter) during their tenure, engaged in careless behavior. On December 21, the captain and crew were aboard Reel Wild, the yacht’s 53-foot (16-meter) center console tender, when it struck rocks off a popular beach. Photos of the scene revealed Reel Wild atop the rocks, with gashes along her hull. Media reports indicated six of the 11 people aboard the tender went to the hospital. One of them was reportedly scheduled to fly to a Florida hospital the following day, too, sustaining serious facial injuries after being ejected.
On December 26, the Patreon page for the Loon crew confirmed the accident. However, it denied media and social media reports of serious injuries. Specifically, it stated, “Thankfully, everyone is okay, and we want to reassure you that the situation isn’t as severe as some media outlets may have portrayed. Due to an ongoing investigation, we are limited in what we can share right now. However, we will provide a full update as soon as we’re able. Your messages of support mean the world to us, and we deeply appreciate your understanding during this time. We’re looking forward to continuing our adventures with you all very soon. Sincerely, The Loon Crew.”
In the weeks following the accident, several Loon yacht crew shared what occurred on their personal social media accounts. One indicated that the captain, Paul Clarke, had been at the wheel, before changing the post to remove reference to him. A few confirmed the information about one person returning to U.S. shores for further treatment. Others noted that the Patreon page was actually owned and operated by Clarke. Several crewmembers resigned, too.
In their lawsuit, Niznik and Holubova allege that midday on December 21, Clarke and the Loon yacht crew took Reel Wild to Gypsea Beach Club for a Christmas luncheon. They remained at the restaurant until about 7 p.m. At one point en route back to Loon, Clarke “abandoned the helm of Reel Wild.” The tender, the two former stews say, continued moving ‘between 48 and 51 miles per hour with no one at the wheel.” The boat then collided with the rocks, ejecting Niznick and throwing Holubova within the interior. Niznick sustained injuries to her face, leg, and jaw. Holubova injured her leg, along with her knee and ear.
Although both received initial treatment at a St. Barths hospital, Niznick later flew to a Broward County hospital. Holubova, meanwhile, returned to her native Czech Republic for further treatment. Both women say they suffered disfigurement as well as “substantial mental and psychological trauma” and continue receiving mental-health treatment. Furthermore, they say Clarke should have remained at the helm, given the speed, darkness, and known proximity to a rocky shoreline.
Clarke has 20 days to reply in writing to the court to present his case. We reached out to him for comment. He didn’t respond by press time.
Leave a Reply