Liberty Square News

The Coast Guard completed its preliminary investigation of the collision between the tour boat, Spirit of Charleston, and a sailboat July 22 in Charleston Harbor. The Coast Guard charged Captain O.C. Polk, the operator of the Spirit of Charleston, with negligence and misconduct for his role in the collision and for failing to report the incident to the Coast Guard. As part of the settlement agreement approved by an Administrative Law Judge, Polk will serve a three-month outright suspension of his Coast Guard issued license and must complete a Coast Guard approved vessel piloting and navigation course. Failure to complete the terms of the agreement will result in a 15-month outright suspension of Polk's license.