Captain Indicted for Seaman’s Manslaughter

The U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon stated that the captain of a charter fishing boat operating out of Winchester Bay, Oregon was indicted on three counts of seaman’s manslaughter following the deaths of three passengers. The deaths occurred when the boat sank while trying to cross the Umpqua River Bar in bad conditions. The U.S. Coast Guard had imposed restrictions on the Bar due to the conditions and the fishing boat captain was specifically advised of those restrictions. He attempted to cross the Bar regardless. If convicted, the captain faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for each count. source: HK Law