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ARTICLE · 12 SEPTEMBER 2023

When The Skipper Fails To Testify

Quadrant Chambers
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In late 2017, Mr Arnold purchased a newly constructed yacht, the M/Y VLARODA, from a shipyard in France. He then contracted with Halcyon Yachts Ltd (who were not involved in the yacht's construction) to sail...

United KingdomLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Tom Nixon
Tom Nixon

Arnold v Halcyon Yachts Ltd [2022] EWHC 2858 (Admlty)

In late 2017, Mr Arnold purchased a newly constructed yacht, the M/Y VLARODA, from a shipyard in France. He then contracted with Halcyon Yachts Ltd (who were not involved in the yacht's construction) to sail the yacht from La Rochelle, France, to his home in Delaware, USA, on what would be her maiden voyage.

The yacht first was sailed by Halcyon from La Rochelle to Ponta Delgada, Azores (via Spain). The crew then intended to proceed on a leg from Ponta Delgada to Bermuda, across the North Atlantic in late November/early December 2017. At some point during that leg, the crew made the decision to turn back to the Azores. When the yacht arrived back at the Azores, she had faced significant damage, primarily to her carpentry and joinery. Mr Arnold hired another company to complete the voyage the following year.

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