Ex-MAFS contestant Bronson Norrish chases Andrew Forrest’s SFM Marine over alleged party boat damage

Andrew Forrest’s SFM Marine has hit choppy waters after becoming embroiled in a legal spat with a Perth businessman’s luxury boat rental operation.

Bronson Norrish — a former contestant on Married At First Sight — is chasing the mining billionaire over alleged damage to his party vessel Moonlight Express, which used the lifting and maintenance business’ hoisting facility, The Australian has reported.

SFM Marine was rebranded in 2020 and was formerly known as Northport Marine Services.

Mr Norrish’s Party Boat Charters alleges the vessel’s hull was damaged because SFM did not “provide appropriate support to the vessel’s hull during the lifting and standing” in June and July 2022, the newspaper said.

The media outlet reported he has been pursing SFM for $730,969 to pay for repairs after the alleged damage and $586,792 as compensation for lost income.

Party Boat Charters’ website said the Moonlight Express can accommodate 118 people and is equipped with two ovens and a large kitchen and a surround sound music system and TV screens.

It is one of five vessels available for hire.

But Mr Norrish said he may be forced to close the business if the parties could not agree on terms, with 50 full and part-time jobs at risk, he told The Australian.

SFM — owned by Andrew and Nicola Forrest’s private family investment vehicle Tattarang — reportedly said there were signs of wear and tear on Moonlight Express and Perth Boat Charters had not substantiated the full extent of alleged damage.

The Australia said SFM had offered $125,000 to Mr Norrish without admission of liability.

It is understood Mr Norrish has not accepted the terms.

“Losing our main money on a boat, losing one full season of operating and having to take out a million-dollar loan to pay repair costs associated with the damage has put us in the red,” he told the newspaper.

“The reason we kept pushing through and doing the repairs was because SFM were willing to pay and admitted fault, and now they’ve done a 180 and now we’ve got no way of paying off the debt.”

SFM told The Australian that evidence for claims had not been provided by Party Boat Charters.

“This includes the extent of damage allegedly caused, as opposed to prior wear and tear on the vessel or other costs unrelated to the damage allegedly caused,” a spokesman told the newspaper.

“Based on the incomplete information available, and with input from expert independent assessors, the insurer made an offer of settlement.”