Duluth Coast Guard Issues Penalty for 2 Ferry Jumpers

Two men jumped from Madeline Island Ferry in July

An enforcement action by Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit, in Duluth, was initiated on Wednesday, for two men who jumped from the transiting Madeline Island Ferry in July.

This action comes as a result of a Coast Guard investigation that involved two individuals who deliberately jumped form the ferry as it entered the Bayfield, Wisconsin harbor on July 31, 2016.

Ferry crews on board immediately contacted local law enforcement, who apprehended the two men, ages 22 and 25, then notified the Coast Guard. No injuries were reported as a result of the incident.

After a thorough investigation, the Coast Guard determined that their deliberate jumping overboard, interfered with the safe operation of the ferry. Their actions at such a critical point in the vessel’s transit unnecessarily placed the vessel and the passengers aboard in a dangerous situation.

Federal law prohibits interfering with the safe operation of a vessel and could result in up to a $25,000 penalty. Coast Guard took civil penalty action to ensure the incident does not occur again.

Jumping from a moving vessel forces the captain to follow the vessel’s man overboard procedures, requiring the captain to immediately maneuver the vessel in a position to allow the crew to safely recover the person in the water. This maneuver could put other passengers and crew members at risk for potential injury and impedes the safe navigation of a regulated waterway.

The public is reminded that deliberately jumping from a moving vessel is dangerous to the person themselves, passengers, and crew, and impedes the safe navigation of all vessels operating in the vicinity.