A federal judge has paused a state-level wrongful death lawsuit over the death of Irish fashion designer Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra aboard a yacht in Montauk, New York. Yacht owner Christopher Durnan is asking a federal court to clear him of liability or limit any financial exposure to the vessel’s appraised value of $476,942. Nolan-O’Slatarra’s family is seeking $50 million and alleges that Durnan assaulted her or acted with gross negligence. The federal case is expected to examine maritime jurisdiction, the owner’s knowledge and the circumstances surrounding her death.
| 1) | Federal petition pauses the wrongful death case |
| 2) | Owner seeks exoneration or a vessel-value cap |
| 3) | Maritime jurisdiction and the privity question |
| 4) | Service of the lawsuit and federal deadlines |
| 5) | Death investigation and disputed allegations |
Federal petition pauses the wrongful death case
Martha Nolan-O’Slatarra, a 33-year-old Irish expatriate and Manhattan swimwear designer, was found dead aboard the 54-foot Sea Ray yacht Ripple at the Montauk Yacht Club on Aug. 5, 2025. Her family filed a $50 million wrongful death lawsuit in state court, alleging that Christopher Durnan assaulted her or engaged in reckless and grossly negligent conduct that caused her injuries and death.
After being served with the lawsuit on Oct. 1, 2026, Durnan filed a federal maritime petition seeking to move the dispute into federal court and halt related state proceedings. On Oct. 27, U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel W. Gorenstein approved the use of the yacht’s appraised value as substitute collateral and stayed, restrained and enjoined related litigation while the federal action proceeds.
Owner seeks exoneration or a vessel-value cap
Durnan, a 61-year-old insurance executive and investor in Nolan-O’Slatarra’s summerwear business, denies wrongdoing. His lawyers are asking the court for exoneration, which would eliminate liability, or limitation of liability, which would cap any recovery at the post-incident value of the vessel.
His attorneys stated that the yacht was appraised at $476,942, an amount representing less than 1% of the family’s demand. They contend that any fault or lack of care, if established, occurred without Durnan’s knowledge or involvement and that he acted reasonably after Nolan-O’Slatarra became unresponsive.
“This is a typical delay tactic that is rarely successful and will not be here,” said Michael Bowe, an attorney representing Nolan-O’Slatarra’s family.
Maritime jurisdiction and the privity question
The federal dispute will focus on whether admiralty law applies and whether Durnan had personal knowledge of, or responsibility for, conditions that allegedly contributed to the death. Maritime law can provide vessel owners with broader protections than land-based liability rules when federal requirements are met.
David Cattie, a maritime law attorney, said the court will examine “privity,” meaning whether the owner was involved in or knew about the defect or conduct at issue. Because the yacht was docked in a marina located on navigable water, the location of the alleged harm may support federal jurisdiction. Cattie said the result could differ if the injury occurred on the dock rather than aboard the vessel.
“If the owner was involved in or knew of the defect that caused the harm, he cannot limit his liability to the value of the vessel,” said David Cattie.
Service of the lawsuit and federal deadlines
The family faced a 120-day deadline to serve the state complaint. According to court filings, process servers and investigators searched for Durnan at several properties in Long Island and upstate New York before locating him at a waterfront home in Lantana, Florida.
The service effort reportedly involved a days-long stakeout and multiple process servers. The federal petition followed the next day. The federal judge has given potential claimants until Jan. 25, 2027, to enter the case and challenge Durnan’s request. James Mercante, Durnan’s maritime attorney, declined to comment.
Death investigation and disputed allegations
East Hampton police responded to the Montauk Yacht Club around midnight on Aug. 5, 2025, after receiving a report of an unconscious woman aboard the Ripple. The federal filing says Nolan-O’Slatarra had been a guest aboard the yacht on Aug. 4, became unresponsive around midnight and received attempted aid, including CPR, after people on nearby vessels were contacted.
Suffolk County police said forensic pathologists found no signs of violence, while the final cause of death remained pending additional investigation. Bowe has said emergency medical personnel found blood in Nolan-O’Slatarra’s mouth, on her chest and head, as well as behind her head. Those statements form part of the family’s allegations, which Durnan and his lawyers deny. He has not been charged with a crime.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | The family is seeking $50 million in a wrongful death case. |
| 2 | Durnan seeks exoneration or a liability cap of $476,942. |
| 3 | The federal court has stayed related litigation and set a Jan. 25, 2027, deadline for challenges. |
| 4 | The case will examine maritime jurisdiction, owner knowledge and the cause of death. |
Summary
The federal petition has temporarily shifted the dispute over Nolan-O’Slatarra’s death from state court to a maritime liability proceeding. The outcome will depend on whether federal admiralty law applies and whether Durnan can show that any alleged negligence occurred without his knowledge or involvement. The court’s ruling could determine whether the family pursues the full claim or faces a recovery limited to the yacht’s appraised value.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Durnan asking the federal court to do?
He is seeking complete exoneration from liability or a cap on potential liability at the Ripple’s appraised value of $476,942.
Why has the state lawsuit been paused?
The federal court stayed related litigation after accepting the vessel’s appraised value as substitute collateral while it considers the maritime petition.
What happens next?
Potential claimants may enter the federal case and challenge Durnan’s request by Jan. 25, 2027. The court will then assess jurisdiction, privity and the legal basis for any limitation of liability.
