Tag Archives: under the influence of drugs
Captain asks court to throw out blood test in fatal sinking case
The Cushing captain who is accused of causing the death of two crew members when his lobsterboat sank during a November 2014 gale has asked the court to throw out a blood test that showed he was under the influence of drugs at the time of the incident. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is opposing the motion filed on behalf of 29-year-old Christopher A. Hutchinson. No ruling has yet been issued by the federal judge hearing the case in U.S. District Court in Portland. Hutchinson is charged with two counts of seaman’s manslaughter for the deaths of Tom Hammond, 27, of Rockland, and 15-year-old Tyler Sawyer, who lived in St. George and Waldoboro. They were crew members aboard Hutchinson’s lobsterboat, No Limits, which sank Nov. 1, 2014. click here to read the story 11:52
Australian Maritime Safety Authority conducts crackdown on fishermen taking drugs
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority is undertaking a major campaign across Far North Queensland targeting fishing fleets under the influence of drugs. Five men have already been charged after Cairns Water Police conducted a joint agency patrol in remote northern waters. Water police travelled 800km over an extensive eight day operation from Cairns to Cape Grenville. The search began on the 20th September this year, targeting vessels that were operating under the influence of drugs. Sergeant Andrew Ibell said the amount of fishermen with drugs in their system was alarming and correlated with marine incidents over the last few years. In total 37 boats were intercepted and five skippers tested positive to having drugs in their system. It is alleged a combination of methamphetamine and cannabis was detected within the operators,’ Mr Ibell said. Read the rest here 19:51
