KEY POINTS
- A Florida parasailing captain, Daniel Gavin Couch, has been federally indicted for seaman’s manslaughter in connection with the fatal parasailing incident on May 30, 2022.
- The indictment alleges that Couch’s “misconduct, negligence, or inattention to his duties” while operating the commercial vessel M/V AIRBORNE led directly to a passenger’s death.
- The case was investigated by the Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) and if convicted, Couch faces a potential sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison.
A Florida parasailing captain has been federally indicted for seaman’s manslaughter in connection with the 2022 death of a passenger, federal prosecutors announced. Daniel Gavin Couch, 52, was charged by a federal grand jury for his alleged role in the fatal incident that occurred on May 30, 2022, while he was operating a commercial parasailing vessel in Monroe County.
The indictment alleges that Couch, while employed as the captain for Lighthouse Parasail, Inc., engaged in “misconduct, negligence, or inattention to his duties,” which led directly to the passenger’s death. He was operating the M/V AIRBORNE, a commercial vessel used for parasailing charters at the time of the incident.
Seaman’s manslaughter is a specific federal charge that applies to captains, engineers, or pilots of vessels whose negligence or misconduct results in a loss of life. The M/V AIRBORNE was an inspected commercial vessel, meaning its operations and captain were subject to regulation and safety standards enforced by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Investigation and Prosecution
The case was investigated by the Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) Southeast Field Office. The investigation also involved assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Lake Worth and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Office of Law Enforcement.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Potential Penalties
If convicted of the seaman’s manslaughter charge, Couch faces a potential sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller and Coast Guard Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanner Stiehl.
This federal indictment brings the case into the judicial system more than three years after the fatal event, underscoring the serious legal consequences for maritime professionals whose actions result in tragedy.
