The following is the text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard:
(SEATTLE) — The captain of the port, Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound, issued two notices of violation Wednesday with proposed penalties of $2,500 each to two men who intentionally jumped off the passenger vessel Spirit of Seattle.
Coast Guard investigating officers determined that Nathan Keel of Tempe, Ariz.,, and Chanda Jatinder of Mesa, Ariz.,, were aboard the underway vessel on June 5 when they jumped over the rail and into the water.
Crewmembers from the vessel, which had more than 300 passengers aboard, immediately responded and recovered the individuals. Neither of the men suffered injuries.
Coast Guard officials are seeking penalties for violation of section 46 USC 2302 (a) of the Code of Federal Regulations, for interfering with the safe operations of a vessel so as to endanger the life, limb or property of a person.
“Intentionally jumping off a commercial vessel is extremely dangerous and diverts the crewmembers’ attention away from the safe operation of the vessel,” said Capt. Joe Raymond, captain of the port, Sector Puget Sound. “I have directed my staff to investigate each of these incidents and issue violations as appropriate.”
