UPDATE, JULY 7, 2025: A judge has approved the request by another crewmember, Austin Scaccianoce, to join the lawsuit as a plaintiff. Court filings reveal that Scaccianace suffered hip injuries after the force of the crash threw him forward. He also says he sustained a broken left foot and other foot and leg injuries in assisting fellow crewmember Natalia Niznik. Later this month, the judge will decide whether the lawsuit from the former Loon yacht crew will proceed. Paul Clarke, the former captain, filed a request for dismissal, indicating that he is a foreign national with no personal ties to the United States. He further indicates that it would be a hardship to appear in a Florida court. Megayacht News continues to follow the case.
Read on for our original article.
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 in Broward County, Florida 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 (pictured with other toys below), 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 wrote that the captain, Paul Clarke, had been at the wheel, later changing the post to remove the reference. 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 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.
James Kolar
Once again, the Demon drink! Pissed up and Performing! Been there, done that. Seen it too many times, too many lives either ruined or taken by ‘drunk drivers’ seems Paul Clarke is just one more. Like so many others he refused to provide ‘samples’ of his breath/blood to the police, believing that to mean there’s no evidence of him being drunk at the helm. He is wrong! Quite the opposite, in British law he would be assumed guilty, end of! If he was a decent man, he’d hold his hands up to this and apologise to all concerned. He has made the most ridiculous mistake, he now must ‘man up’ and face the inevitable consequences. The two young ladies hurt in this incident, should be taken care of and compensated. Paul Clarke, should go find another job, I think he could probably find one with an 18/30 holiday company in Ibiza!
Tort Maximus
If he avoids jail, the 100k will probably be increased. The captain thought the Reel Wild was clear of any hazards. The USA’s “innocent until proven guilty” is rare for a reason. Eventually, everyone will make it back to work, in spite of social media turning gossip into truth.