GALVESTON — The owner of a sailing yacht is claiming the negligence of another yacht owner after a collision near the Clearlake Channel in Galveston.
Thomas Hadel filed a complaint April 3 in Galveston County District Court against Olivia Morris and David Morris alleging negligence.
Hadel, according to his complaint, was sailing the vessel Pier Pressure with a friend on Nov. 8, 2021, one mile from the Clearlake Channel. He claims that the defendants were operating a 35-foot motor yacht, the M/Y Olivia Ray in the same area when they collided with the Pier Pressure.
Hadel further claims that the defendants admitted they did not see his vessel "until it was too late" and that his insurance company paid $128,967.97 in repairs for damages to the Pier Pressure. He alleges the insurance company does not include the diminished value of his vessel which is estimated to be between $100,000 and $150,000.
Hadel claims the defendants' negligence for failing to keep a proper lookout, for operating their vessel at an unsafe speed and for failing to give way to a vessel under sail.
Hadel seeks monetary relief of less than $250,000, interest and all other just relief. He is represented by Paxon Crew of The Crew Law Firm PC in League City.
Galveston County District Court case number 23-CV-0532