On JULY 12, 20011 the National Transportation Safety Board announced its probable cause findings in a collision between a Coast Guard patrol boat and a recreational boat in San Diego in December 2009. The Collision killed an 8-year old passenger in the boat that was struck from behind by the patrol craft. Here is the NTSB press release announcing the findings. The incident occurred during an annual holiday boating event while the USCG crew was responding to a report of a grounded boat. The Board found the collision was due to the "excessive speed of the Coast Guard boat in nighttime conditions in an areas of high vessel density, and the Coast Guard's ineffective oversight of its small boat operations nationally and at Coast Guard Station San Diego.
Also noted in the press release was the refusal of 3 of the 5 crew members of the USCG boat to be interviewed by the NTSB, including the operator. Prior news reports from San Diego papers noted the boat operator was convicted by a Court Martial of a single count of dereliction of duty, resulting in a 3 month sentence in March 2011. The operator originally faced charges of involuntary manslaughter, negligent homicide, and aggravated assault.
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