Former Motor Yacht Loon Stews Suing Capt. Paul Clarke for Personal Injury as a Result of Negligence

Natalia Niznik and Klara Holubova, both former stewardesses on board Motor Yacht Loon, have filed a complaint against Capt. Paul Reid Clarke. Niznik and Holubova are seeking more than $50,000 (the minimum dispute amount to take the case to a circuit court in Florida, but damages could be substantially larger), exclusive of interests, costs, and attorney’s fees, in response to personal injuries they received on board Reel Wild, M/Y Loon’s tender, due to Clarke’s negligence, according to a complaint and demand for jury trial Triton acquired. Niznik and Holubova are represented by Moore & Company of Coral Gables, Florida.

On or about Dec. 21, 2024, Loon was anchored off Saint Barthelemy with no charter guests on board, according to the complaint. Clarke and Loon’s crew went to Gypsea Beach Club for a celebratory Christmas luncheon, traveling by the yacht’s tender, Reel Wild. After finishing the dinner, the crew boarded Reel Wild to return to Loon.

Clarke was the operator of Reel Wild at all times during this trip. At some point during the return, Clarke abandoned the helm of the tender, leaving the vessel to continue forward in total darkness at a cruising speed of between 48 to 51 miles per hour with no one at the wheel, according to the complaint. Reel Wild then collided with the coast of Saint Barthelemy and was lodged on top of a peninsula of rocks on the western edge of Baie de St Jean.

Both Niznik and Holubova were in the rear of the tender at the time of the collision. The collision ejected Niznik from the tender and she landed on the rocks, sustaining injuries to her face, leg, and jaw. Holubova was thrown from the interior of the vessel to the aft due to the collision, sustaining injuries to her knee, leg, and ear. Niznik and Holubova’s injuries resulted in pain and suffering, disfigurement, mental anguish, loss of earnings, a loss or impairment of earning capacity and working capacity, and more, the complaint states.  

Niznik and Holubova received initial care at a local hospital in Saint Barthelemy, with Niznik eventually being flown to Broward County, Florida, where she began treatment for her injuries. Holubova returned home to the Czech Republic, where she was also treated for her injuries. In addition to their physical injuries, Niznik and Holubova both experienced mental and psychological trauma from the incident and are undergoing mental health treatment. 

“At minimum, Defendant Clarke owed Plaintiff Holubova a duty to remain at the helm of the vessel he was operating while it was moving forward at a high rate of speed, at night in complete darkness, and in known proximity to a rocky shoreline,” the complaint states.

On Saturday, March 22, Clarke was served the complaint that states his negligence was the cause of these injuries at his Florida residence. Niznik and Holubova both demand judgement against Clarke and request that the court award all appropriate damages for their injuries caused by Clarke, including all applicable attorney’s fees and costs incurred by the plaintiffs in bringing this action, and any such other remedy and relief the court may deem just and appropriate.

Clarke was the captain of the 67-meter Icon Yachts M/Y Loon. The yacht is available for private charter and was well-known for its online presence, which Clarke built up to more than 200,000 YouTube subscribers. After the collision, Loon’s accounts were wiped — videos deleted or archived on YouTube, its Instagram page unable to be found, and its Patreon deleted. 

Triton reached out to Clarke after the collision but did not hear back. Triton reached out to Clarke again today, but he did not respond.

This is a developing story and Triton will update it as more information becomes available. If you have any tips or breaking news stories, reach out to [email protected].

Images by Le Journal de Saint-Barth.