Captain Paul Clarke is the subject of a negligence complaint filed by two former stews on M/Y Loon.
The complaint stems from the high-profile incident in December when Loon's tender Reel Wild crashed into rocky shoreline in Saint Barthélemy. Court documents obtained by Dockwalk explain what allegedly happened after a Christmas lunch at Gypsea Beach Club.
“Defendant was, at all times during this return trip, the operator of Reel Wild, as it was his job to be so as the captain of Loon,” the court filing states. “At some point during this return trip, defendant abandoned the helm of Reel Wild, leaving the vessel to continue forward in total darkness at a cruising speed of between 48 and 51 miles per hour with no one at the wheel.”
Six of 11 passengers, including plaintiffs Natalia Niznik and Klara Holubova, sustained injuries. The complaint has been filed in Broward County, Florida, where Paul resides.
According to court documents, Natalia was ejected from the tender and landed on the rocks, injuring her face, leg and jaw. After receiving care at a local hospital, she was flown to Florida for additional treatment. Klara was thrown to the aft of the vessel and sustained injuries to her knee, leg and ear. She later returned home to the Czech Republic for further treatment.
“In addition to their physical injuries, Plaintiffs both experienced substantial mental and psychological trauma from the incident and are undergoing mental health treatment,” court documents state.
Before the incident, the 221-foot charter yacht had an increasingly high profile thanks to its active social media presence. That has gone dark since the incident.