The following is the text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard:
(SEATTLE) — A federal administrative law judge approved a settlement Tuesday between the Coast Guard and the operator of the tug Shannon, resulting in 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.
The Coast Guard found the operator of the Shannon to have directly endangered the crew and passengers aboard multiple state ferries by purposely hindering safe transits during rush-hour traffic in Elliott Bay near Seattle Oct. 7, 2014.
“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.”
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.
