Posted by . on May 13, 2004 at 19:39:37:
In Reply to: Capn Ray officially chraged by USCG posted by The Scoop on May 12, 2004 at 06:36:13:
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (AP) - The Coast Guard filed a negligence complaint against a dive boat skipper for the April 25 abandonment of a scuba diver seven miles out to sea.
Capt. Ray Arntz, owner of the Sundiver diving charter, could lose his license for up to four months. He voluntarily surrendered his license.
Coast Guard officials are negotiating with his attorney to reduce the suspension time in exchange for community service, which requires approval of a federal administrative law judge, Lt. Cmdr. John Fassero said Wednesday.
Arntz wouldn't comment.
Scuba diver Dan Carlock was floating alone in the ocean for almost five hours after Arntz left him at sea, Fassero said. He was rescued by Boy Scouts sailing to Newport Beach from Santa Catalina Island aboard a 100-year-old tall ship.
Arntz is responsible for the incident despite dive master Zacharias Araneta's verbal roll call of all 20 passengers before the boat left, Fassero said.