The U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday agreed to hear the case of whether former Riviera Beach (Fla.) Marina tenant Fane Lozman’s houseboat constitutes a “vessel” under maritime law.
In April 2009, Lozman watched federal marshals tow his two-story houseboat away from the city marina with his possessions on board. It was towed to the Miami River and later destroyed, the Palm Beach Post reported.
The city said Lozman failed to sign a dockage agreement that requires vessels moored at the marina to be registered, insured and capable of leaving the marina in case of an emergency.
Lozman says his 57-foot houseboat was a “floating home” with no engines and no boat registration and didn’t meet the definition of a vessel.
