The Sequoia Presidential Yacht Group LLC v. FE Partners LLC ( 2016 )

COURT OF CHANCERY
OF THE
SAM GLASSCOCK III STATE OF DELAWARE COURT OF CHANCERY COURTHOUSE
VICE CHANCELLOR 34 THE CIRCLE
GEORGETOWN, DELAWARE 19947
Date Submitted: October 21, 2016
Date Decided: November 14, 2016
Michael Busenkell, Esquire John L. Reed, Esquire
Gellert Scali Busenkell & Brown, LLC DLA Piper LLP
1201 North Orange Street, Suite 300 1201 North Market Street, Suite 2100
Wilmington, DE 19801 Wilmington, DE 19801
Gary J. Silversmith Scott Czerwonka, Esquire
1050 17th Street, N.W., Suite 600 Wilks, Lukoff & Bracegirdle, LLC
Washington, D.C. 20036 4250 Lancaster Pike, Suite 200
Wilmington, DE 19805
Re: Sequoia Presidential Yacht Group LLC et al. vs FE Partners LLC,
Civil Action No. 8270-VCG
Dear Counsel and Mr. Silversmith:
In Joseph Heller’s satirical take on the Biblical King David, David laments
the stupidity of his son, King Solomon. David invokes Solomon’s famous decision
resolving a case where two alleged mothers each claim the same baby—Solomon
offered to cut the infant in two—which is considered the epitome of wisdom. David
tells us the real story: Solomon was “dead serious.”1 It is with chagrin that I
recognize that this lengthy litigation has been nearly as deleterious for its “baby”;
1
Joseph Heller, God Knows 12 (Simon & Schuster, 2004).
the famous ex-Presidential Yacht Sequoia. The Sequoia, an elderly and vulnerable
wooden yacht, is sitting on an inadequate cradle on an undersized marine railway in
a moribund boatyard on the western shore of the Chesapeake, deteriorating and,
lately, home to raccoons.
This suit involves a loan agreement between the lender, FE Partners LLC (“FE
Partners”) and the borrowers, Gary Silversmith and the Sequoia Presidential Yacht
Group, LLC. The loan agreement gives FE Partners an option to purchase the
collateral for the loan—the Sequoia. A valuation of the Sequoia for purposes of
securing the loan was established via fraud on the part of Gary Silversmith. Claims
and counterclaims arising out of the loan agreement were litigated and eventually
resolved by a settlement entered as a Court Order on August 29, 2013. All that
remained for this Court was to oversee the computation of the amount due
Silversmith from FE Partners under the settlement and loan documents, should FE
Partners elect to acquire the Sequoia. Unexpectedly, and unfortunately, the resulting
issues and litigation expenses involved in that inquiry have dwarfed the original
litigation. This Letter Opinion expresses my post-hearing decision concerning the
option price for the Sequoia. This inquiry was made simpler by the concession of
FE Partners, expressed to this Court by letter of August 28, 2015,2 that should it
2
Def’s Letter to the Court dated August 28, 2015. The letter estimated that the option price as of
that time was negative $1.6 million and stated “[a]lthough the provisions of the Default Judgment
Order permit FE Partners to pursue Mr. Silversmith for any deficiencies if the Default Purchase
2
exercise the option (and absent additional fraud or defensive issues absent here) it
would not pursue contractual rights to recover sums due it under the settlement
agreement to the extent they cause the option exercise price to be less than zero.3 In
other words, FE Partners agreed to a minimum option price of zero dollars. For the
reasons below, I find the option price to be zero.
FE Partners has indicated, by letter of October 24, 2016, that it has committed
to exercise its option rights once this Letter Opinion is released. With title issues
resolved, it is possible that an investment is now reasonable to save the Sequoia from
desuetude and otherwise-inevitable destruction.
I. BACKGROUND
This matter is before me to determine the option exercise price (the “Exercise
Price”) for the Sequoia based upon the parties’ contractual agreements and this
Court’s prior decisions. The facts of this case, and the conduct of the parties, have
been set out in detail in earlier decisions,4 and will not be repeated here. It is
Price is less than zero, your Honor should be pleased to know that FE Partners only wishes to be
done with Mr. Silversmith as quickly as possible and has no present intention of pursuing any such
deficiencies, though it reserves the right to do so if it uncovers further fraud or needs to do so in a
defensive proceeding.” Id. at n.12 (emphasis added).
3
Id. In post-hearing briefing, FE Partners asks me to set a judgment amount to the extent the
amounts owed it under the settlement exceed the option price. See Def’s Post-Hearing Opening
Br. 58. To the extent they are attempting to withdraw the statement in the August 28, 2015 letter,
they should so indicate, including the grounds for doing so, and I will allow Silversmith and the
LLC to respond.
4
See e.g., Sequoia Presidential Yacht Grp. LLC v. FE Partners LLC, 2015 WL 4575795 (Del. Ch.
July 30, 2015); Sequoia Presidential Yacht Grp. LLC v. FE Partners LLC, 2013 WL 3724946
(Del. Ch. July 15, 2013).
3
sufficient to state that the Plaintiff, Gary Silversmith, induced the Defendant, FE
Partners,5 to extend a loan to Silversmith’s company, the Sequoia Presidential Yacht
Group, LLC (the “LLC”; in context, I refer to Gary Silversmith and the LLC,
together, as “Silversmith”) with the Sequoia as collateral. Representations by
Silversmith in connection with the loan were fraudulent. Silversmith initiated this
action to enjoin FE Partners from pursuing its rights in connection with the loan,
however once Silversmith’s fraud came to light, the parties entered into a settlement
memorialized in a stipulated default judgment order on August 29, 2013 (the
“Judgment Order”).
The operative loan documents here include the Amended and Restated Term
Loan Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”), the First Priority Preferred Ship
Mortgage (the “Mortgage Agreement”), and the Amended and Restated Option
Agreement (the “Option Agreement”) (collectively the “Loan Documents”). Under
the Loan Documents, FE Partners had an option to purchase either a 100% interest
in the LLC or to buy the Sequoia itself,6 for $7.8 million in the event of default.
5
While technically the Defendant, FE Partners is also the counterclaim Plaintiff. In this action FE
Partners is pursuing its rights under the loan documents. To avoid confusion, I will refer to the
parties principally by name rather than litigation stance.
6
The yacht is the only asset held by the LLC, which itself is owned by Silversmith.
4
What followed was a morass of litigation,7 which is mercifully coming to an end.8
This opinion addresses the remaining issue—what price FE Partners must pay to
exercise its default option. In reaching the Exercise Price I am guided by the parties’
contractual agreements, including the Loan Documents,9 and the law of this case as
set out in prior opinions and orders,10 as well as FE Partners’ aforementioned
commitment to accept a floor option price of zero dollars. What follows is a
discussion of the facts, contracts of the parties, and decisions of this Court necessary
to calculate the Exercise Price, and bring an end to this litigation.
A. The Formula
The August 29, 2013 Judgment Order provides the basic formula to determine
the Exercise Price.11 The Judgment Order states that I must subtract from the initial
Exercise Price, defined in that order as $7.8 million,12 the following items: FE
Partners attorneys’ fees and expenses then-incurred in the Delaware action as
7
I note a motion to strike portions of Silversmith’s answering brief, which brief raised issues for
the first time, including, for example, lender liability, was filed on October 11, 2016. I have not
considered issues raised for the first time in Silversmith’s answering brief, therefore I have also
not considered the sur-reply filed as an exhibit to the October 11, 2016 motion.
8
Ever the optimist, I.
9
See Sequoia, 2015 WL 4575795, at *9 (stating that the decision generally reserves FE Partners’
remaining contractual rights).
10
As our Supreme Court has described, “[t]he law of the case doctrine is a self-imposed restriction
that prohibits courts from revisiting issues previously decided, with the intent to promote
efficiency, finality, stability and respect for the judicial system.” State v. Wright, 131 A.3d 310,
320–21 (Del. 2016) (citations and internal quotations omitted).
11
JX 27 ¶ 6.
12
Id. at ¶ 2(c)(i).
5
determined by the process laid out in the Judgment Order; 13 the total amount of FE
Partners’ loan;14 and, as determined by independent counsel, Michael Maimone, the
amount of:
the outstanding and pending or potential tax or other applicable
liabilities of [the LLC] that must be satisfied to deliver all legal and
beneficial right, title and interest in and to either the membership
interests in [the LLC or its] interest in the Sequoia Presidential Yacht,
in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, claims, rights of
first refusal, options, warrants, calls, security interests, charges, pledges
or restrictions on transfer of any nature whatsoever. With respect to
any exercise of the option for the interests in [the LLC], the final
Default Option Price will be further reduced by the amount necessary
to satisfy all outstanding debts against the LLC . . . . 15
The Judgment Order provided that the cost of Maimone’s service as independent
counsel was to be paid by Silversmith. I begin with the Judgment Order in
calculating the Exercise Price.
B. The Initial Exercise Price
The parties entered into the Option Agreement on July 3, 2012.16 The
subsequent August 29, 2013 Judgment Order affirmed FE Partners’ right to purchase
the Sequoia, or the membership interests in the LLC, for an Exercise Price of $7.8
million, as adjusted.17
13
Id. at ¶ 6; see Sequoia, 2015 WL 4575795, at *3 (noting that the fee calculation provided for the
Judgment Order was for “attorneys' fees and expenses then-incurred”).
14
JX 27 ¶ 6; see JX 13 § 8.2.
15
JX 27 ¶ 6; see also Sequoia, 2015 WL 4575795, at *3.
16
JX 11.
17
JX 27 ¶¶ 2(c)(i), 6.
6
Before turning to those adjustments called for in the Judgment Order, I briefly
address Silversmith’s assertion, in his opening brief, that the Exercise Price should
be adjusted upward. Silversmith asks that I add to the initial $7.8 million Exercise
Price FE Partners’ equitable share of three items: the independent counsel’s fees, an
existing rail line lien against the Sequoia,18 and that portion of the costs necessary to
put the Sequoia back into good working order and repair that Silversmith alleges are
attributable to FE Partners.19 I decline to consider these three items as above the line
additions. The Judgment Order from which I am calculating the Exercise Price
makes no provision for such adjustments.20 With respect to the independent
counsel’s fee, I have already rejected Silversmith’s request to shift the fee, and
nothing warranting a deviation from that has occurred in the interim. 21 I find no
equitable reason to depart from the Judgment Order and attribute to FE Partners the
storage costs for the Sequoia, including the rail line lien. Finally, with respect to FE
Partners’ responsibility for repair costs, I address that with respect to a calculation
of Silversmith’s contractual responsibility for the cost of putting the yacht in good
repair. Thus the starting point for this analysis is the $7.8 million Exercise Price.
18
The Sequoia is hauled out on a marine railway in Deltaville, Virginia, and the boatyard has a
lien on her for accrued hauling and storage.
19
See Pls’ Post-Hearing Opening Br. 2, Ex. A.
20
See JX 27 ¶ 2(c)(i).
21
See Sequoia, 2015 WL 4575795, at *9.
7
II. DISCUSSION
From the initial Exercise Price of $7.8 million, FE Partners is seeking thirty-
eight line-item deductions.22 There is over a $10 million variance between the
parties’ positions on these proposed deductions.23 Some of the deductions sought
are no longer in dispute. Others are only disputed to a limited extent. These
categories are briefly addressed below to demonstrate that the maximum Exercise
Price, after accounting for undisputed deductions, is currently $2,414,603.
Silversmith accepts a deduction of $2,490,099 for the initial loan
disbursement.24 He also accepts deductions, so long as they are verified, of $82,877
for payments to crew members, $372,951 for insurance payments, and $33,352 for
payments for shipyard and equipment expenses.25 I find these deductions are
adequately supported by affidavits and corresponding billing records.26
Additionally, Silversmith accepts deductions of $274,011 for a lien owed to his
former counsel, Mike Weidinger, and $1,335,573 for attorneys’ fees calculated
pursuant to the Judgment Order.27 Finally, Silversmith accepts a deduction of
22
Def’s Post-Hearing Answering Br. Ex. A.
23
See id.
24
Pls’ Post-Hearing Answering Br. (“Pls’ Ans. Br.”) 5.
25
Id.
26
See JX 63 ¶ 5, Ex. D (providing documentation for crew payments); id. at ¶ 4, Ex. C
(providing documentation for insurance payments); id. at ¶ 6, Ex. E (providing documentation
for shipyard and equipment payments); see also Supp. Aff. of L. Michael Cantor Sept. 26, 2016
(providing documentation for additional insurance payments).
27
Pls’ Ans. Br. 5.
8
$171,654 for liabilities uncovered by the independent counsel.28 The sum of these
undisputed deductions is $4,760,397.
The amount of interest accrued under the loan remains in dispute. However,
even with the modifications that Silversmith seeks to the default interest rate, the
deduction for this item is, at a minimum, $625,000.29 This amount, combined with
the other deductions discussed above, places the undisputed portion of the required
deductions at $5,385,397.30 Thus the Exercise Price is, at most, $2,414,603, less
disputed but substantiated deductions. In other words, the Exercise Price must be
further reduced by the deductions advocated by FE Partners—opposed, in whole or
part, by Silversmith—to the extent I find them required by the Judgment Order and
the underlying contracts preserved in that Order. I start with the deduction for the
amount required to bring the Sequoia into the state of repair that Silversmith was
obliged by contract to maintain. Because the cost of the required structural repairs
already exceeds $2,414,603, the Exercise Price is zero dollars, and I need not analyze
FE Partners remaining proposed deductions.
28
Id. I note Silversmith submits that this figure is subject to “adjustment” for any updates to the
outstanding liabilities. Pls’ Post-Hearing Opening Br. Ex. A.
29
Pls’ Post-Hearing Opening Br. 8.
30
This calculation only includes the items discussed above, and does not include an unspecified
amount of the rail line lien which Silversmith accepts responsibility for nor his responsibility for
the cost of repairs, discussed infra.
9
A. Contractually Required Repairs
The Loan Documents required Silversmith to maintain the Sequoia in good
working order and repair. It is undisputed that the Sequoia is not presently in the
condition required by the parties’ contracts. I instructed the parties to file expert
reports “regarding the cost to bring the Yacht back to ‘good working order and
repair,’ as defined and required in the First Priority Preferred Ship Mortgage and
Option Agreement . . . taking into account all relevant facts and circumstances.” (the
“Contractual Condition”).31 The results are presented in full below. However, the
following brief synopsis may be sufficient for the casual reader.
I presented all parties with the opportunity to have a ship survey performed
and for an expert to inform me as to the cost to restore the Sequoia to the condition
at which Silversmith was contractually obligated to maintain her. FE Partners had a
survey conducted,32 and provided a thorough expert report. Its chief expert, Earl
McMillen, testified, credibly, that the hull of the Sequoia needed a complete rebuild
before she could be returned to service, and that the repairs and rebuilding needed
to put the hull into contractually-compliant shape will cost $2,750,100.33
Silversmith’s expert, Donald McCann, by contrast offered an opinion only as to the
31
Order dated Feb. 29, 2016.
32
According to Earl McMillen, his report was partially based on the survey done by Kevin
Clarke of Rhode Island Marine Survey. JX 51 at 6–7.
33
McMillen testified that other ship systems will require repair to be contractually-compliant, at
additional cost.
10
cost required to remedy a list created by the Coast Guard, based on a preliminary
inspection, that McCann himself conceded was incomplete and inadequate to restore
the Sequoia to the contractually-required standard. McCann candidly admitted that
he could not provide an estimate to return the yacht to the Contractual Condition,34
and that, if a hull rebuild was required, McMillen’s estimate of costs was
reasonable.35 I find the amount testified to by McMillen credible, and adopt it. Next,
I find that while the contract excepts “wear and tear,” I accept McMillen’s testimony
that none of the $2,750,100 required hull work was for repair of wear and tear items
as the parties used that term in the contract, and I find further that Silversmith has
failed to submit any evidence or opinion indicating that “wear and tear” could refer
to a necessary total hull rebuild. Finally, I consider, and reject, Silversmith’s
argument that in equity FE Partners should be assessed some of the costs in returning
the Sequoia to the contractually-agreed condition, given what Silversmith describes
as dilatory tactics on FE Partners’ part resulting in otherwise-avoidable deterioration
of the Sequoia. McCann, Silversmith’s own expert, testified that the delay that has
caused the yacht to sit on the railway for an extended period has had minimal impact
on the current need for repairs.36 Therefore, I find that Silversmith’s obligation to
keep the Sequoia, as collateral for FE Partners’ loan, in good working order and
34
May 11, 2016 Default Option Hearing Tr. 268:23–71:9 (McCann).
35
Id. at 301:12–22 (McCann).
36
Id. at 252:14–53:13 (McCann).
11
repair, requires expenditure of $2,750,100 on the hull alone; this amount must be
subtracted from the Exercise Price. The details in support of my reasoning follow.
1. Analysis of Required Repairs
a. The Contractual Terms
The Mortgage Agreement provides, in relevant part, that the borrower
will at all times and at its own cost and expense maintain and preserve
the Vessel in good condition, working order and repair, ordinary wear
and tear excepted, and will cause the Vessel to be kept fully equipped
and such equipment to be kept in good condition, working order and
repair, ordinary wear and tear excepted.37
The Option Agreement defines its good working order and repair standard by
reference to the above condition set by the Mortgage.38
I find the contractual terms are not ambiguous, but rather, that the intent of
the parties is clearly understood from the documents read as a whole.39 The
Contractual Condition provisions of “good condition, working order and repair”
when read in their context, indicate that the vessel is to be kept in a condition which
makes it fit for service in its intended use. This reading is supported by both parties’
37
JX 12 § 2.9.
38
See JX 11 § 7.2 (“Sequoia shall maintain the Vessel in good working order and repair in
accordance with the provisions of the Ship Mortgage.”). I note that the Option Agreement is
governed by New York law. See id. at § 9(a) (stating the agreement “shall be construed and
enforced in accordance with the law of the State of New York . . .”). Silversmith also asserts that
the “Sequoia loan documents apply New York law.” Pls’ Ans. Br. 12.
39
See Maser Consulting, P.A. v. Viola Park Realty, LLC, 936 N.Y.S.2d 693, 694 (App. Div.
2012) (stating that under New York law it is fundamental that contracts are to be “construed in
accord with the parties’ intent.”).
12
experts, whose testimony indicates that such standard is a term of art in the maritime
industry, informed by the vessel’s use, and means the ship is at least a “safe working
platform” within the scope of its intended use.40 Regarding the “fully equipped”
contractual mandate, that requires the vessel to be equipped for the services the ship
is to perform.41 Here the intended use would be as a Potomac River charter cruise
ship. I find under the contracts that Silversmith was obligated to maintain the vessel
such that it was safe, structurally sound, and fully equipped for its intended use as a
Potomac River cruise vessel.
b. The Required Repairs
Unfortunately, as explained below, I am left with only one side’s expert
reports and testimony that bear on the question of the cost of Silversmith’s obligation
to maintain the Sequoia. For reasons not in the record, Silversmith did not direct his
expert to do an inspection that would allow him to answer the pertinent question,
which is what would it take to put this vessel in the Contractual Condition.42
McCann testified that he was instructed by Silversmith to only examine items on a
40
See JX 55 at 45:4–14 (McCann). Silversmith’s expert also indicated that in layman’s terms this
would mean the vessel would need to be in “safe working order” for its intended use, which here
would be river passages in and around Washington, DC. See id at 45:15–46:12 (McCann).
41
See May 11, 2016 Default Option Hearing Tr. 296:15–17 (McCann). Silversmith’s expert
explained that this was the correct standard for “fully equipped” and that he would expect the
vessel to have the appropriate items for its intended use, including for example, a depth sounder.
Id. at 296:15–22 (McCann).
42
Id. at 305:11–16. Following the hearing, I considered engaging a Court expert to do an
independent survey of the Sequoia, but I determined that 1) the testimony of FE Partners expert
witnesses was sufficient to a decision here, and 2) engaging a Court expert, under these
circumstances, would only increase litigation effort, which already exceeded optimality.
13
preliminary Coast Guard work list dating to 2014 (the “Work List”), determine
whether the Work List was “fair and reasonable,” and then classify which repairs
should be treated as a “capital expense,” which according to Silversmith must be
excluded from the cost of repairs, as contrasted with maintenance expenses, which
Silversmith indicated should be included.43 McCann testified he was not asked by
his client to perform a full condition survey of the Sequoia which would allow him
to have prepared an opinion on the Contractual Condition.44 In other words,
Silversmith failed to provide an expert who could offer testimony on the question
pertinent, the cost to restore the Sequoia to the Contractual Condition.45
Instead, Silversmith attempts to rely on a $309,650 quote to complete the
Work List, from Chesapeake Boat Works (“CBW”), the yard in which the Sequoia
is currently lying. Again, that estimate is insufficient to the purpose pertinent here.
I note that the Work List itself states that the repairs it mandates “should not be
construed as an inclusive list since there may be other deficiencies which have not
been identified.”46 Silversmith’s expert, McCann, testified there would be additional
costs beyond the Work List “because the Coast Guard investigation is not
43
Id. at 239:4–14 (McCann). I note that Silversmith dropped the “capital expenses” line of
argument at the hearing. Id. at 291:8–22.
44
Id. at 268:23–71:9 (McCann).
45
I mean to convey no disrespect for Silversmith’s expert, Donald McCann, who I found to be
competent and credible. He was unfortunately not instructed by his clients to opine on the
relevant question here—what repairs are required, and what would they cost, to return the
Sequoia to the Contractual Condition.
46
JX 34.
14
complete,”47 and that he “would fully expect” additional Coast Guard required
work.48
McCann testified that without a full condition survey, he could not, and did
not attempt to, render an opinion on what work was necessary to put the Sequoia in
the Contractual Condition, nor did he prepare an opinion on what was required to
make Sequoia fully equipped as defined in the contracts.49 McCann also did not
prepare the cost of repairs for the Work List items independently, because the cost
of repairs are not “within the parameters of what [he] does.”50 Rather he relied on
CBW’s estimates and opined that those were “fair and reasonable given the list that
was given” to him.51 Consistent with the opinion of FE Partners’ expert, discussed
below, McCann stated that “there’s a great deal of decayed wood that needs to be
rectified.”52 Such rectification, I note, is not fully addressed in the Work List.
Having found the evidence presented by Silversmith inadequate to supply the cost
to return the Sequoia to the Contractual Condition, I turn to the evidence provided
by FE Partners.
I have before me McMillen’s unrebutted opinion that the hull needs to be
rebuilt in order to put the Sequoia into the Contractual Condition. McMillen reached
47
May 11, 2016 Default Option Hearing Tr. 246:9–17 (McCann).
48
Id. at 275:10–76:4 (McCann) (explaining that “there will be more lists—more on the list”).
49
Id. at 268:23–71:9, 271:24–72:3 (McCann).
50
Id. at 240:8–16 (McCann).
51
Id. at 240:19–23 (McCann).
52
Id. at Tr. 242:1–2 (McCann).
15
this conclusion based on several factors including the condition of the frames inside
the hull, the hull’s exterior planking, the vessel’s loss of proper hull shape,53 and
damage incurred during the December 2014 haul out.54 When I asked McMillen
directly during his testimony if there was not a cheaper way to put the vessel into the
Contractual Condition, he explained that given the state of disrepair and rot the
vessel had reached, patchwork repairs, such as sistering frames,55 are no longer an
option. I find most instructive the following exchange:
THE COURT: Sir, if someone approached you to try to do this job in
the most cost effective way by simply sistering the frames, using
penetrating epoxy, doing a refastening job and trying to get [the
Sequoia] in the water so that it could be used in the cheapest possible
way safely, could that be done more cheaply than what you've done
here, or is that not something you could do?
THE WITNESS: I certainly wouldn't assume any liability. The number
that came back from CBW of several hundred thousand dollars, I can't
imagine that they would stake their reputation and assume the liability
that by merely making that amount of repair to the boat in her current
condition. It would be a band-aid on a -- putting your thumb in the dike
sort of thing. It's just -- there's so much there that -- the degradation of
the structure is so widespread on the boat. You don't have any good
frames to even sister to.
THE COURT: That's true even if her use was to be restricted to the
river and use up and down the Potomac.
53
Currently, the hull is “hogged.”
54
See JX 51 at 5–6.
55
When explaining a photo, located in JX 51 at 60, McMillen provided the following description
of “sister”: “[a]gain, broken sister frames. A sister framing is a technique of making a repair which
is a low-cost way of just driving another frame in alongside the other frame . . . . It's just an added
frame that generally gives support in the turn of the bilge. And here you have broken frame next
to broken sister frame.” May 11, 2016 Default Option Hearing Tr. 46:7–15 (McMillen).
16
THE WITNESS: Correct. The fact that she's -- the frames have already
been sistered, and those frames have now cracked or degraded. So the
cheap repairs have been made at this point, and going that route has
already been done once. In my opinion, it can't be done again.56
McMillen’s testimony was unrebutted, and, I find, credible. It is supported
by photographic evidence depicting the hull’s poor condition.57 I find that the hull
rebuild proposed by McMillen is required to put the Sequoia into the Contractual
Condition. Although this is a major repair, it is not only required under the contract,
but also supported by equity. This loan, and the accompanying option were made
under false pretenses of the Sequoia’s condition and value.58 If the vessel had been
in the condition represented, there would likely be no need for structural repairs now.
c. The Cost; Exception for Wear and Tear
Having found the hull rebuild required by the contract, I now must determine
the appropriate deduction from the Exercise Price for this item. McMillen indicates
that the required hull rebuild, not using (presumably more expensive) historic hull
components, would cost $2,750,100.59 In evaluating this figure, I find instructive
McCann’s testimony. Silversmith’s expert admitted that if a hull rebuild is done,
McMillen’s estimate is “fair and reasonable.”60 I also find instructive an email
56
May 11, 2016 Default Option Hearing Tr. 56:21–58:1 (McMillen) (emphasis added).
57
See JX 51 at 56–64 (compiling photos).
58
See JX 7 (stating the “vessel is in excellent condition without qualifications as to the age of the
vessel”); JX27 ¶ 2(d) (admitting that the loan was “fraudulently induced” through “fraudulent
misrepresentation”).
59
JX 51 at 15.
60
May 11, 2016 Default Option Hearing Tr. 301:12–22 (McCann).
17
Silversmith sent in 2014 where he stated “the estimated replacement cost of the hull
is $2.5 MM.”61 I find a deduction of $2,750,100 to put the hull in the Contractual
Condition appropriate.
Silversmith was required to maintain the Sequoia in the Contractual
Condition, “ordinary wear and tear excepted.”62 Silversmith argues that rotted
structural members requiring a hull rebuild are the type of “ordinary wear and tear”
which the contract meant to exclude. His argument is contrary to the record and to
common sense. Silversmith’s expert, McCann, had no opinion on what aspects of
the Sequoia’s degradation, if any, would be considered “ordinary wear and tear”
even though he agreed that it is a term of art in the industry. 63 McMillen testified
that “wear and tear” is a term of art—it refers in these circumstances to conditions
that develop between the times regular maintenance is performed—paint work and
bright work that need periodic renewal, for instance.64 In other words, Silversmith
would not be in breach of contract because a paint job done yearly was in need of
renewal in month eleven. The purpose of the Contractual Condition provision was
to require Silversmith to maintain the condition, and thus the value, of the Sequoia
as collateral for FE Partners’ loan. Excepting, as wear and tear, the complete loss of
61
JX 31.
62
JX 12 § 2.9 (emphasis added). I note that the Loan Agreement modifies its wear and tear
provision with the word “reasonable,” rather than the word “ordinary” used in the Mortgage
Agreement. See JX 13 § 5.7.
63
May 11, 2016 Default Option Hearing Tr. 272:4–13 (McCann).
64
See id. at 73:14–74:23 (McMillen).
18
structural integrity of the Sequoia’s hull is irreconcilable with this purpose.
McMillen testified, and I am persuaded, that wear and tear could include some
woodwork for “damage done docking” but “a hull that is tremendously degraded in
structure is well beyond normal wear and tear.”65 I find the plain meaning of this
wear and tear exception requires that repairs necessitated on account of ordinary use
are “excepted,” however, structural damage or damage caused by neglect or
negligence are not.66
Although he offers no evidence that “ordinary wear and tear” refers to the
Sequoia’s current degraded state, Silversmith cites Weeks Marine, Inc. v. Picone,
Inc.,67 for the proposition that “wear and tear” is an ambiguous term that in context
can mean structural degradation.68 That case is unhelpful. Weeks involved a ship
65
Id. at 151:13–52:5 (McMillen). McMillen opined that other ship systems on the Sequoia require
expenditures to bring her to the Contractual Condition. Because the deduction of the hull repairs
alone brings the Exercise Price to zero dollars, I have not considered those repairs or whether they
would fall within the “wear and tear” exception.
66
See Wear and Tear, Black's Law Dictionary (10th ed. 2014) (“Deterioration caused by ordinary
use; the depreciation of property resulting from its reasonable use”); see also Moran Towing Corp.
v. M. A. Gammino Const. Co., 363 F.2d 108, 114 (1st Cir. 1966) (noting that “[t]he effects of
negligence are not wear and tear, and they do not become wear and tear merely because they may
be anticipated”); Otto Candies, Inc. v. McDermott Int'l, Inc., 600 F. Supp. 1334, 1343 (E.D. La.
1985) (noting that “[s]tructural damage, on the other hand, is not considered wear and tear and
must be repaired in order for a vessel to be certified for ocean-going service”).
67
1998 WL 717615 (S.D.N.Y. Oct. 14, 1998).
68
See Pls’ Post-Hearing Opening Br. 43–45; Pls’ Ans. Br. 20. I note that even if I were to consider
this term ambigious, and turn to extrinsic evidence I would find the most compelling evidence of
the parties’ intent is informed by representations that the Sequoia was in excellent condition. See
JX 7 at 7 (stating the “vessel is in excellent condition without qualifications as to the age of the
vessel); JX 27 ¶ 2(d) (admitting that the loan was “fraudulently induced” through “fraudulent
misrepresentation”).
19
lease for a barge meant to carry heavy bulk loads, and the contract required her to
be returned in the same condition delivered, “wear and tear” excepted.69 The Weeks
court, unremarkably, looked to what degradation of the vessel would be expected
given her intended use during the lease period.70 Here, by contrast, Silversmith was
obligated to keep the Sequoia in good repair to maintain its value as loan collateral,
and the excepted wear and tear, as expressed above, referred to minor degradation,
not failure of structural integrity. Weeks does not support Silversmiths’ argument
that the cost of bringing the yacht into “good working order and repair” with regard
to a hull rebuild must be reduced as excepted wear and tear. The cost of that required
repair I find to be $2,750,100. Once that amount is deducted from the Exercise Price,
that price is reduced to the agreed minimum, zero dollars.
B. Additional Deductions
FE Partners seeks dozens of other deductions pursuant to the Judgment Order
and the Loan Documents, which I decline to address here because the Exercise Price
is zero. In light of FE Partners’ statement that it would treat a zero dollar Exercise
Price as a minimum, and in light of the fact that it has irrevocably exercised the
69
Weeks, 1998 WL 717615, at *1–2.
70
See id. at *6–8. I note that the Weeks court gave weight to the fact that the item for which the
plaintiff sought replacement, the deck plating, was already worn thin at the start of the lease. Id.
Further, in Weeks, there were competing experts who testified to what reasonable wear and tear
was in light of the barge’s use. Id. at *3–6. Under those circumstance the Weeks court was
persuaded that requiring the proposed repairs on items that were already worn at the start of the
lease would result in an “inequitable” “windfall.” Id. at *8. That is clearly not the case here.
20
option, I make no finding as to whether the Judgment Order would have allowed FE
Partners to both pursue recovery of contractual damages and to exercise a zero dollar
Exercise Price, nor do I determine whether any of its additional proposed offsets
have merit.
III. CONCLUSION
The adjusted Exercise Price is zero dollars. The parties should provide a form
of order consistent with this Letter Opinion, and inform me of any reason that this
matter should not be closed.
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