UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
TAMPA DIVISION CASE NO. 8:25-cv-00625
IN ADMIRALTY

IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPLAINT OF MATTHEW MERKLE, AS OWNER OF A 2019 27’ BOSTON WHALER DAUNTLESS, HIN# BWCE1402L819, FLORIDA VESSEL REGISTRATION NUMBER, FL 0845 RU, WITH A 2019 MERCURY 350 OUTBOARD, AND OTHER APPURTENANCES FOR EXONERATION FROM OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

NOTICE TO CLAIMANTS OF PETITION FOR EXONERATION FROM OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
Notice is given that the above named Petitioner MATTHEW MERKLE has filed a Petition, pursuant to 46 U.S.C. § 30501 et seq., for Exoneration from or Limitation of Liability for all claims for any damages or injuries, arising out of, or occurring as a result of an incident on the navigable waters of the United States that took place on or about September 15, 2024 and involves a 2019 27’ Boston Whaler Dauntless, HIN# BWCE1402l819, Florida Vessel Registration Number, FL 0845 RU, with a 2019 Mercury 350 Outboard, and other appurtenances thereto (“Limitation Vessel”), as more fully described in the Petition for Exoneration from Limitation of Liability.
All persons having such claims must file their respective claims, as provided by Supplemental Rule F of the Supplemental Rules for Certain Admiralty and Maritime Claims of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, with the Clerk of Court in writing and must serve a copy thereof on attorneys for Petitioner on or before December 5, 2025 or be defaulted. Personal attendance is not required.
Any claimant who desires to contest either the right to Exoneration from or the right to Limitation of Liability shall file and serve on attorneys for Petitioner an answer to the Complaint, on or before the aforesaid date, unless the claim includes an answer, so designated, or be defaulted.
DONE AND ORDERED this 5th day of November, 2025.

K. Nuerves
Clerk of U.S. District Court for Middle District of Florida
By Deputy Clerk
11/12/25, 11/19/25, 11/26/25 and 12/03/25 64580