Detroit-based KAM Yacht Sales, a subsidiary of Lormax Stern, has acquired the multifaceted Luke Brown Yachts — known for new and used brokerage, custom boatbuilding and charter services — with operations in six cities throughout Florida, Rhode Island and the Bahamas. The new team at Luke Brown will include KAM Yacht Sales team members Daniel Stern as president, Nichole Sleiman as VP of business operations and Max Brochert as VP and sales manager, according to a statement. Luke Brown’s Jason Dunbar and Andrew Cilla will round out the team.
East Hampton authorities have charged the operator of the Cabo sportfisherman, Chaos, with reckless operation of a vessel after the boat collided and sank a commercial dragger in dense fog last weekend. The East Hampton Star reported that the commercial boat, Petrel, sank 70 feet to the bottom about a quarter-mile off Montauk Inlet within minutes of the collision. Both captain and passenger were able to jump overboard; the captain was treated for a shoulder injury and released from a local hospital. A Coast Guard spokesman confirmed to the Star that speeding was a factor in the crash and the owner of the Petrel is looking to salvage his vessel.
In a virtual court hearing, Nicholas Zarantonello pleaded guilty to a reduced charge in a boating accident on New Jersey’s Lake Hopatcong that led to the drowning death of his passenger, Jason Gil. Zarantonello told the judge he was under the influence of drugs while piloting the pontoon boat last August, and now faces the maximum of five years in prison. “The court will listen to arguments of counsel and review arguments submitted and impose a sentence the court feels is most just,” Judge Stephen Taylor told NorthJersey.com, adding that probation is also an option.
