Lawsuit filed by widow of Texas man killed when yacht capsized is settled
The widow of a Texas man killed when a racing yacht capsized has settled a lawsuit with the manufacturer of the boat.
On June 6, 2008, during a race from Galveston, Texas, to Vera Cruz, Mexico, Texas A&M University safety officer Roger Stone was killed when a 38-foot racing yacht lost its keel and capsized.
The boat in question – named the Cynthia Woods – was manufactured by Cape Fear Yacht Works, owned by Kent Mitchell. The lawsuit was filed by Stone’s widow, Linda Stone, against Cape Fear Yacht Works, as well as a company that repaired the racing yacht and the boat’s designer, Bruce Marek.
Stone was the crew’s second safety officer. He pushed two student sailors to safety after the boat capsized and tossed four members of the Texas A&M University at Galveston Offshore Sailing Team, as well as one other safety officer, into the Gulf. The individuals drifted for 26 hours. Stone was trapped below deck and died.
According to an investigation conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard, the boat sank because it was improperly repaired after it had been run aground on at least five occasions. By contrast, an investigation into the accident by the Texas A&M University System concluded that the inadequate design and construction of the boat was the cause of the capsizing.
According to court documents, under the terms of the agreement, Cape Fear Yachts will pay Linda Stone and her two children $375,000 within the next three years. The documents state that this money will be used to help pay for the children’s college costs.
For more on Stone’s settlement with the yacht manufacturer over this Texas wrongful death, click here to read the full article.
