Settlement Approved Between USCG, Tug Operator
A settlement between the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and the operator of the tug Shannon was approved Tuesday by a U.S. Federal Administrative Law Judge.
The settlement calls for a two month suspension of Merchant Mariner’s Credentials, mandatory attendance at a Washington State accepted anger management class and a 24-month probationary period after the operator of the Shannon was found by the USCG to have directly endangered the crew and passengers aboard multiple state ferries by intentionally hindering safe transits during rush hour traffic in Elliot Bay near Seattle, October 7, 2014.
The tug operator stated that impeding the other vessels was an act of civil disobedience in protest of an on the water obstruction to the tug Shannon’s attempt to moor.
“Credentialed mariners are entrusted with the safety of their vessel,” said Lt. Cmdr. Darain Kawamoto, Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound, chief of marine investigations. “Actions like this have the potential to jeopardize life, property, and the environment. This approved settlement will help the tug operator reflect upon this incident and prevent future lapses in judgment.”
