Schooner Lord Jim Held Hostage by Boatyard for 4 years!

[Bermuda Forte]

A fine yacht carpenter friend from St John USVI brought to my attention this story that for four years the beautiful 72’ wooden schooner LORD JIM has been held hostage in the Estaleiro RENAMAN / SAPECA boatyard in Mangaratiba, RJ, Brazil and thereby the owners, Holger Kreuzhage and Tracy Brown, have been held hostage trying to navigate their way through the frustrating legal process there and get the boat back so they can sail her home before she’s destroyed from neglect.

I searched and found nothing on the CF about this situation. If anyone has any news or comments, I’d be glad to learn more.

An effort to “FREE LORD JIM!!!” is under way by bringing the situation to the attention of the Brazilian top government. The owners are asking for those that see the injustice here please follow this link and sign the petition:

Free LORD JIM!!!

A simple Google search turns up more info. Here’s a link to an article from Latitudes:

Latitude 38 - 'Lectronic Latitude

'Appreciate hearing what other members think about this.

Q, s/v Aquila

[Celestialsailor]

I believe Latitude 38 did some reporting on it. The yard owners are real SOB's.

[Pelagic]

I am assuming she is US Registered. ….. where is the embassy in all of this?

[captain58sailin]

Would there be any way to covertly launch the vessel?

[roverhi]

The story has come up a number of times in Latitude 38. Basically the boat was sunk, raised and towed to the yard where she is now. The boat went through a major repair with a battle between the owner and the yard owner occuring at the end. The boat owners went to court and have prevailed but can't get the yard owner to comply with the court order or the local authorities to enforce it. In the meantime, the yard owner, belleve it's a marine railway, has dismantled the railway leaving Lord Jim a hostage with no way to relaunch her. It's been quite a few months since there has been anything new.
Latitude 38 - 'Lectronic Latitude

[Pelagic]

Since possession can be 9/10ths of the Law, the yard guy is banking that removing the rails will force a renegotiation of contract costs.
The only way to legally combat this is to start charging yard owner a daily fee for ‘liquidated damages” in failing to re-launch the yacht based on yacht’s insured value and previous court rulings.
Now yard owner sees potential mounting costs that could ruin him and will need to act.

Big question is, which way will he act? This is where 24 hr security comes in.

I am sure it is not as simple as that, with other issues, but there needs to be a way to put financial pressure on the yard guy

[captain58sailin]

What does the yard guy want to release the vessel?

[rebel heart]

Originally Posted by captain58sailin

What does the yard guy want to release the vessel?

Taking a wild stab: money.

[Celestialsailor]

I don't get the railway removal thing unless he has more than one. Isn't that like shooting yourself in the foot?

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

Taking a wild stab: money.

Well sure. I think point was, how much money.

[CeesH]

I'm a dutchman living in Brazil, my only advice.....

NOT EVEN CONSIDER TO VISIT A BRAZILIAN PORT.

CeesH

[Celestialsailor]

The latitude 38 report is so vague. No telling whet the problem was. It seems we never hear both sides of the story.

[captain58sailin]

Yes rebel heart, money is a given, how ever sometimes there are other things that carry weight, as well. The question is of course how much? What is it worth to you to have your vessel out of commision for a long period of time? Also other things carry weight, like respect, etc... , I once knew a gem buyer who would go to the mine managers in Mexico and for the price of a few Hershey chocolate bars, he would have his pick of the best raw gems coming out of the mine at a cut rate price. The mine manager's wives love hershey bars. If the owners of the vessel have given the yard owner insult (real or imagined) intentional or unintentional then it will take more than money to get the vessel released. To some people, pride counts for more than dollars. If the yard is defying court orders then there is something afoot.

[atoll]

my advice would be to contact my friend,joa who is quite famous in brazil for his yachting exploits,and writes for brazilian yachting magazines .
he may be able to help

GUARDIAN - 10 ANOS AO REDOR DO MUNDO - Index

[jeremiason]

Here is an update to the story...