In a dramatic legal showdown, a yacht owner is taking a prestigious yacht and country club to court over alleged negligence that led to the sinking of his prized vessel. On January 16, 2025, Phil Hawkes filed a complaint in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida, against Isla Del Sol Yacht & Country Club, Inc., accusing them of failing to uphold their duty of care.

The lawsuit stems from an oral agreement made on March 1, 2022, between Hawkes and the defendant for the storage of his 42-foot Silverton Motor Yacht at the club’s facilities. According to Hawkes, the club had agreed to store his vessel safely and take necessary precautions against adverse weather conditions such as Hurricane Milton. In return for these services, Hawkes paid a monthly fee. However, on October 10, 2024, while under the club’s care during stormy weather conditions, Hawkes’ yacht sank due to what he claims was negligence on the part of Isla Del Sol Yacht & Country Club.

Hawkes accuses the club of breaching its duty by not securing his vessel properly against high winds and potential flooding. The complaint highlights several failures: inadequate measures to prevent movement or detachment during storms and insufficient inspections or preparations that any prudent yacht club would undertake under similar circumstances. As a result of these alleged oversights, Hawkes’ yacht suffered extensive damage leading to significant economic losses.