apba boats seized??
 

Just talked to a friend who is trying (still) to pick up his boat after the bahamas race.
seems someone forgot to pay $30k in fees so the boats are detained at the port in fl

What???????? Your buddy needs to pay 30K to get his boat back? How many boats are they holding?

THERE MAY OF BEEN SOME DELAY BECAUSE OF PAPER WORK BUT IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MONEY OWED BY APBA. I PICKED UP MY BOAT FRIDAY .STOP SPREADING STUPID RUMORS.....

The boats that were not picked up on Friday ARE ON LOCK DOWN at the port of Miami. We drove to Miam today and were not allowed in the port do to a 29,000 dollar discrepency some where. There were SEVERAL VERY pissed off people there today as they were told to go home because they wouldn't be recieving their boats anytime soon. The words 'boat auction' were also mentioned. If you got your boat Friday you were VERY lucky. We went today and were turned away. NO ONE HAS ANY DEFINTE ANSWERS. Boy St. Pete would have been NICE!

Troutly,
Tell that TASTY wife of yours to get out the popcorn.... I have a feeling this is going to get interesting!!:eek: :D

ouch! i can see this **** storm brewing

Yikes, just when you think it was a "stupid" rumor, someone comes through with some facts.


:eek: :eek:

Bring on the cold beer and popcorn :)

LMAO!!! John, see Ryan's post!
I hear the only delay in paperwork is the ballance of the shipping being paid by a certain sanctioning body

Thats why where going to New Orleans.

I arrived at the Port Friday at 330pm and left with my boat by 6, no problems. I did have my receipt with my name on it, and I noticed some teams sent drivers that were not listed on the documents. Could this be the problem?

I have never seen such a DISorginsed sport as offshore boat racing. You would have thought by now someone would have got it dialed in. The only time ive seen any type of continunity was with POPBRA in Ca. What this sport needs is to have some professionals running the show. Everything seems to be shoot from the hip and hope it works itself out. There needs to be a full time PAID professional staff of people gettin this **** orginised and not a bunch of little Cesaers guessing.This is not directed to APBA/LLC....the're all guilty. People not getting paid winners purses, schedules always changing, rules changing with the winds, stupid little details like that. The volenteers are great to a point, but if your gonna call yourselves pros, get some pros to run the damn thing, or it will always just be like the old days of street racing without the traffic tickets.

By the way, why is this the racers problem? The APBA should handle the situation, even if they have to put the $s in escrow somewhere until the problem is solved. Can you imagine the costs accruing for the teams having to organize the pick up of their boats and rigs? Ryan, how many boats are still stuck there?

Aw. c'mon Dan, you're masking your emotions again. Why don't ya say what you'e really thinking? When ya movin' back up here? Team Chaos need ya. If for no other reason than to drive by KAAMA.

We agreed in writing to a price and a method of measurement with shipper with a very good reputation, Seaboard Marine. They were paid in advance of THEIR estimated fee. When we got to Miami, they said "another $29,000 is owed." We said please show us the basis for that calculation. They said, "if we did that, you would try to chisel the bill." I was stunned! How can someone with whom you have a contract not provide the basis of an increase in the cost?

I told them to keep Critical Lift until the matter was straightened out and they agreed. That is why boats were released Friday. This morning, with no communication from us, they reneged on that deal. We said keep the CRE trailer also, now you have $500,000 in value, let the race boats go. They said no, pay or no boats. AND we will not give you a bill for the shipping until after you pay and then we can discuss it!!! Unbelievable.

The boats are safe and the APBA is working on the problem. We will pay the $29,000 if we have to to get the boats released, but it is grossly unfair to us and to the racers as people have been delayed and we are being billed unfairly. We will fight for our and our racer's rights. I know good business principles and what integrity is and this firm is exhibiting neither. Our apologies to those delayed. It makes us all very angry.

Ted Zoli

The hell with the racing. Personally, I`ve lost all interest in it.

F`ups like this are making poker runs all the more popular!:D

I found their statement of how they do business, this is their own words:

Established in 1983, Seaboard Marine is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Seaboard Corporation. We have identified unique and profitable opportunities in more than twenty countries while adapting to constantly changing environments. With each office and location contributing steadily to the company's growth, Seaboard Marine is a trade leader in the Western Hemisphere.

"Unique and profitable opportunities"
"constantly changing environments"

AHA, I think I get it.:confused:

http://www.seaboardmarine.com/About-Seaboard/index.htm

Ray there were still 20 plus boats there including several big teams Drambuie, WHM, Hidden Agenda, Brioschi, Pier57, etc.

If anyone needs their boat picked up because of the change in schedule contact OSO and we can pick it up for you and keep it under lock and key until you can make arrangements. We are right here in N. Miami.


NO CHARGE!!

I mean no charge to pick it up, might have to pay to store depending on how long. I can call in some favors for storage.

OSO

axe grinders - ease up!
 

Well there ya have it. Looks like APBA is not to blame and I'll take Ted Zoli's word anyday! Hang in there race teams and I'm sure this will be resolved quickly. Anybody know of a good lawyer? BH

Hey Everyone
I guess I picked a serious thread as my starter!
We sent our crew chief down on fri. to pick up our boat (Hidden Agenda Supercat)but we were not one of the lucky 6 to escape that day. They told him to come back today, but Ryan is correct and they will not release any boats until the outstanding $29,000 is paid. They then had the police escort him of the premises. Apparently words have been exchanged and attitudes have flared. The receptionist at SeaBoard is "Sick of all of the APBA Boats" and she wants us to know that the world does not revolve around us! In other words, we have gotten no real answers and have been told to come back tomorrow at 3:30pm to try again. I would really like to know the truth, and I think that the remaining 30 boat teams would gladly pay $1000 each to get their boats out so they can start preparation for the Worlds in a few weeks.

Welcome Jamin
 

What's up dude? Welcome to the board and congrats on the finish in The Bahamas. Set any more speed records in rental vans at NASCAR race tracks? haha - Hollis

Welcome to the board Jamin.

Dittos on trusting Ted Zoli.

This is par for the course with dealing with overseas BS. Its all politics and reaching in the pocket. I wouldn't be so quick to jump on APBA.

Hidden Agenda, welcome to the Board- check out OSO Photos section for pictures of you from Bahamas.

OSO

Thank You Guys
And I have been grounded from operating 12 passenger vans from now on!!!

I was too busy typing my reply when Ted posted.
I completely trust his info and we will try again tomorrow.

HEY JAMIN
 

LONG TIME NO SEE!!!!! SEE YOU HAVE BEEN RACING GOOD,THATS GREAT. LEAVING THURS FOR LAKE X THEN TO NEW ORLEANS TO DEFEND TITLE. T-man jeff

Just one more thing turning me off of APBA. Isn't APBA governed by an attorney? I would like to thing they got a contract in writing for the shipping. And if they did Just pay the 29,000 ,let everyone get their boats, and take them to court later. Iam astounded APBA would let millions of dollars of boats sit over a 29,000. Iam confused about one other thing and maybe someone could clairify this for me. I remember seeing on the web site that shipping for the team's boats would be free/taken care of by APBA, however, I heard there was some type of charge to the teams for shipping when they got to the Bamahas. Whats going on?

How is it legal for them to hold millions of dollars of boats over a bill discrepancy? If I had enough money to own a supercat team, I would definatley have the best attorney money could buy to kick some ass in a law suite over this.

Yep! EXTRA charge!

I did hear that the discrepency is that the shipping Co. was told that "X" boat, say a 40' Skater, was 40'. Not the actual 50' including trailer sticking out front & the drives off the back.
I have shipped several boats to La Harve France using Seaboard as well as Maersk & everything was straight forward & simple. No extra charges for ANYTHING. Just fill out the paperwork, PAY the bill and get the boat. There were never any such thing as an "estimated charge".

I was one of the lucky six to eight teams that got our stuff on Friday. Most of us were there for over six hours in the parking lot! They (Seaboard) kept telling us it was customs...only you never saw anyone from customs....then it was Paperwork problems.....then suddenly as if being set free by a judge...some of us were allowed to leave with our stuff. We were all supposed to submit measurements in our original documents..and when we arrived to go to the Bahammas we were measured. I have to side with Ted and his staff. I was there and things just didn't seem right. As far as the extra charge when we got to the Bahamas...it was announced on Sunday at the driver's meeting that each team would be credited back that money. Everyone seemed happy with that at the meeting.

i am disappointed in the fact i have learned more here about what is happening to my equipment than from apba. nothing , no info about what is going on from apba. just really disappointed

some keep sharpening the blade
 

Isn't it funny how the sofa racers and axe grinders keep putting down APBA Offshore? Go play in somebody elses sand box and don't complain about ours! Brian Hollis


PS. I'm in the transportation business and have been in similiar situations. Yes , freight being held hostage. I can see where this can happen. Anybody remember just weeks ago in Long Beach, Ca? Millions of pounds of freight sitting out on ships not being able to get to port? This could happen to anybody!

All this mess could have been avoided if the race had been run where it was originally scheduled, St Pete. I wonder how many teams will be so eager to travel to another country for our "National's" again?

I also think APBA should put the $29K in escrow, let the racers pick up their property, then fight it out in court.

BH
Agreed. We have 8 boats stuck over there and you do not see us crying. This is life when you deal with certain companies, countries, and I will venture to say a lot of businesses in So. Fla. This certainly is not the APBA's fault and they will fix the problem. But it is nice of you guys to decide how they should handle it.
Ted and the APBA are being more than fair and should fight for what is right. And they certainly have proved they are worthy of making decisions when you look at where the APBA was before they took over. If you want to party, go to NO, we might even see you there for a good time. If you want to race, we will see you in Key West nov. 18-24th.

How is this going to effect Key West? Does everyone have their boats back by now??:confused:

There must have been some errors when paper work was filled out prior to shipment. (my 30' Phantom is almost 40' on the trailer, etc.) I carefully measured the truck and trailer and wrote down the exact dimensions. If everyone did the same, I would really like to know how there can be any discrepencies.

Since I'm not involved in this, it's not fair for me to comment, but those of you who are directly affected by this (i.e. the racers) may want to drop a line to the folks at Seaboard and let them know how their actions are affecting your impressions of them as a company:

[email protected]

[email protected]

Ouch c spray.
I too am in this same business of Transportation. I ran into a similiar situation last week, but we were concerned how we tell the customer, and how much $$ we should eat. Our customer understood, we spoke of what was fair for all and there were no delays in the clearance/transport/release.

Zoli certainly has all race teams best interest in Mind.

The Transport co surely sound mischevious, but can really delay things if they want. Its too bad but you have to play nice until you get your boats out. Then you can let loose on em and battle it out. Unfortunately you probably will have to fight for your money back.

Good luck to all with boats still stuck...Its the innocent teams that suffer because of an error or mis-judgement somewhere.

Man this is unbelievable. Mr. Offshore I see what you are saying that they company should know about drives and what not, HOWEVER it is the person that is filling in the paperworks responsibility to fill it in correctly. I mean if you say you have a 32 foot skater and I am the shipper how do I know if you have a 32 foot skater on there and you have NOT included drives and the front of the trailer, or if you have a 24 and DID include the trailer. You see what I am saying. You guys all say this and that about lawers, but I am sure that the shipping companies have lawers as well, and if APBA does not pay the bill I would not expect to see the boats released any time soon unfortunatly. If the bill is not being paid then I would think that they have every right to hold the equipment and boats. :(:( I would have to ask why did the sapposed deal fall apart? Did some one from APBA call them up and threaten legal action and cause the shipper to change their tune? Or did the shipper just change their mind? I honestly would be supprised to see the shipper release ANY of the boats tell this is resolved. It is their trump card. I just feel bad for the teams that were headed for the SBI worlds. I just think APBA should pay the damn bill and work it out later so that you all can have your boats back. This solves it all!!! You get the boats back and if they have a leg to stand on they will get their money back in court.

Jon

Mike way to scare the chit out of these guys!!!!:eek: :eek: :p :p They can not sell the stuff tell the issue is resolved and at that they will still have a lot of hurdles to go through to sell the stuff, so keep looking for your race boat some were else ;) ;) ;)

Jon