Maritime Captain Arraigned, Barred From Piloting Vessels While Awaiting Trial in Boater's Death

PROVIDENCE, RI – A U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge in Rhode Island today ordered a New Jersey maritime captain to surrender his United States Coast Guard 100-ton Merchant Marine license to the Court, and to refrain from piloting or operating any vessel, as conditions of his release on unsecured bond while awaiting trial on a charge of seaman’s manslaughter in the death of an 81-year-old Connecticut boater in waters off Rhode Island.

At his arraignment today in U.S. District Court in Providence before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan, Cooper “Chick” Bacon, 78, of Cape May, N.J., through his attorney, entered a plea of not guilty and was released on $50,000 unsecured bond. In addition to surrendering his Merchant Marine license, Bacon was ordered to surrender his passport and is prohibited from travelling outside of the United States.

 A federal indictment returned on December 6, 2017, alleges that Bacon failed to take precautions required of the ordinary practice of a seaman when he was at the helm of a yacht on September 22, 2015, which collided with a 23-foot power boat, the Peggy K, in waters off Westerly, killing its sole occupant, Walter S. Krupinski, 81, of Stonington, Conn. It is alleged that, among other things, Bacon failed to take precautions required by the ordinary practice of seamen; adequately assess the risk of collision; proceed at a safe speed; post his First Mate to look-out; and properly overtake, give-way and steer well clear of the Peggy K.

The collision occurred in Fishers Island Sound, on the waters off Naptree Point in the town of Westerly, Rhode Island. 

An indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Seaman’s manslaughter is punishable by statutory penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment, 3 years supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

Cooper Bacon’s arraignment is announced by Acting United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch; Admiral Steven Poulin, Commander of the First Coast Guard District, United States Coast Guard; and Richard Cox, Special Agent in Charge, Coast Guard Investigative Service, New England Region.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gerard B. Sullivan.

The matter was investigated by the Coast Guard Investigative Service.

Acting United States Attorney Stephen G. Dambruch thanks the many local and state agencies in Rhode Island and Connecticut that provided assistance and information to the United States Attorney’s Office in Rhode Island and to the Coast Guard Investigative Service during the investigation of this matter.

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