Whether the Vermont man whose mother was never seen again after their boat sank during a fishing trip in 2016 is compensated by his insurers for the loss of the vessel is in a judge’s hands.

The boat’s insurer, Stamford-based National Liability & Fire Insurance Co., is refusing to pay the claim, saying Carman made suspicious alterations to the 31-foot vessel before leaving Rhode Island with his mother on a fishing trip. Carman has denied that.

In closing statements Wednesday in the trial in federal court in Providence, Rhode Island, an attorney for the insurers said Carman has “deep-rooted credibility problems.”

Carman’s attorney argued the boat was already in poor condition when his client bought it and wouldn’t deliberately risk harming his mother.

Linda Carman, of Middletown, Connecticut, is presumed dead.

The judge said he would issue a written ruling within about two weeks.