| Suspension and Revocation Appeals Authority | 2705 - PLENDER | APPEARANCES
For the Government:
Mr. Gary F. Ball
VICE COMMANDANT
ON APPEAL
NO. • 27 0 5
Suspension and Revocation National Center of Expertise
For Respondent:
William Hewig III, Esq.
Kopelman and Paige, P.C.
Administrative Law Judge: Walter J. Brudzinski
This appeal is taken in accordance with 46 U.S.C. § 7701, et seq., 46 C.F.R. Part 5, and the
procedures in 33 C.F .R. Part 20.
By a Decision and Order (hereinafter "D&O") dated September 17, 2012, an
Administrative Law Judge (hereinafter "ALJ") of the United States Coast Guard revoked the
Merchant Mariner Credentials issued to Mr. Kirk C. Plender (hereinafter "Respondent") upon
finding proved one charge of incompetence.
The specification found proved alleges the following. Respondent submitted a completed
Merchant Mariner Physical Examination Report (Form CG-719K) to the Coast Guard on February 18, 2010. His Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (hereinafter "ICD") and underlying
cardiac conditions documented in the Form CG-719K rendered him physically incompetent and
unfit for merchant mariner duties. The Coast Guard National Maritime Center (hereinafter
''NMC"), on March 22, 2010, informed Respondent that he was not medically fit for merchant
mariner duties due to the heart condition and ICD. Thereafter, on multiple occasions between
March 22, 2010, and November 21, 2011, Respondent served onboard American President Lines
(hereinafter "APL") vessels as Chief Mate, a safety-sensitive position required by the vessels'
Certificates of Inspection. Finally, the specification alleges that by so serving while not medically
fit to do so, Respondent committed an act of incompetence. | Appeal No. 2705 | Suspension and Revocation Appeals Authority | 10/1/2014 | 10/1/2014 | | 10/31/2017 |
| Suspension and Revocation Appeals Authority | 2707 - CHESBROUGH II | APPEARANCES
For the Government:
LT Kimberly D. Rule, USCG
CWO John Nay, USCG
Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Portland
For the Respondent:
Mr. Richard Albert Chesbrough
Co-Representative: Mr. Scott Clifford
Vancouver, Washington
Administrative Law Judge: George J. Jordan
This appeal is taken in accordance with 46 U.S.C. Chapter 77, 46 C.F.R. Part 5 and
33 C.F.R. Part 20.
By a Decision and Order (hereinafter "D&O") dated September 18, 2013, an
Administrative Law Judge (hereinafter "ALJ") of the United States Coast Guard suspended the
Merchant Mariner Credential of Mr. Richard Albert Chesbrough (hereinafter "Respondent") for
two months upon finding proved one specification of misconduct.
The misconduct specification alleges that on May 9, 2012, Respondent, while acting under
the authority of his Coast Guard-issued mariner license, committed misconduct by navigating the
vessel WILLAMETTE QUEEN from the Willamette Slough into the Willamette River in
violation of the vessel's Certificate of Inspection, which limited operation of the vessel to the
Willamette Slough when the river gauge at Salem reads 11 ft or more, as it did on the relevant date. | Appeal No. 2707 | Suspension and Revocation Appeals Authority | 1/23/2015 | 1/23/2015 | | 10/31/2017 |
| Suspension and Revocation Appeals Authority | 2706 - CHESBROUGH | APPEARANCES
For the Government:
LT Kimberly D. Rule, USCG
Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Portland
Respondent Pro se
Administrative Law Judge: George J. Jordan
This appeal is taken in accordance with 46 U.S.C. Chapter 77, 46 C.F.R. Part 5 and
33 C.F.R. Part 20.
By a Decision and Order (hereinafter "D&O") dated July 25, 2012, an Administrative Law
Judge (hereinafter "AU") of the United States Coast Guard suspended the Merchant Mariner
License of Mr. Richard Albert Chesbrough (hereinafter "Respondent") for two months outright
and ordered a further two months suspension on eighteen months probation upon finding proved
one specification of misconduct and one specification of negligence.
The misconduct specification alleges that on April 12, 2011, Respondent, while acting
under the authority of his Coast Guard-issued mariner license, committed misconduct by
navigating the vessel WILLAMETTE QUEEN from the Willamette Slough into the Willamette River in violation of the vessel's Certificate of Inspection, which limited operation of the vessel to
the Willamette Slough when the river gauge at Salem reads 11 feet or more, as it did on the
relevant date. The negligence specification alleges the same facts and further alleges that
Respondent acted negligently by failing to check the river gauge at Salem to ascertain the river's
stage, by operating the vessel outside the conditions of its Certificate of Inspection, and by
grounding the vessel at Mile 85 on the Willamette River. | Appeal No. 2706 | Suspension and Revocation Appeals Authority | 1/23/2015 | 1/23/2015 | | 10/31/2017 |
| Suspension and Revocation Appeals Authority | 2703 - WEBER | APPEARANCES
For the Government:
LT Jeff A. Fry, USCG
James P. Fink, USCG
For Respondent:
Terry D. Weber, prose
Administrative Law Judge: Walter J. Brudzinski
This appeal is taken in accordance with 46 U.S.C. § 7701 et seq., 46 C.P.R. Part 5, and the
procedures in 33 C.F.R. Part 20.
By a Decision and Order (hereinafter "D&O") dated September 22, 2011, an
Administrative Law Judge (hereinafter "AU") of the United States Coast Guard revoked the
Merchant Mariner License of Mr. Terry D. Weber (hereinafter "Respondent") upon finding
proved a charge of use of dangerous drugs in violation of 46 U.S.C. § 7704(c) and 46 C.F.R. §
5.35. The specification found proved alleged that on January 31, 2011, Respondent submitted to a
random drug test and provided a urine sample that tested positive for the presence of marijuana
metabolites. | Appeal No. 2703 | Suspension and Revocation Appeals Authority | 11/4/2013 | 11/4/2013 | | 10/31/2017 |
| Suspension and Revocation Appeals Authority | 2709 - COFFY | APPEARANCES
For the Government:
LT Gregory J. Knoll, USCG
LT Jessica L. Bohn, USCG
LT Eric L. Sumpter, USCG
Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads
Respondent:
Mr. William Tee Coffy, pro se
Administrative Law Judge: Michael J. Devine
This appeal is taken in accordance with 46 U.S.C. Chapter 77, 46 C.F.R. Part 5 and
33 C.F.R. Part 20.
By a Decision and Order (hereinafter "D&O") dated January 7, 2013, an Administrative
Law Judge (hereinafter "ALJ") of the United States Coast Guard revoked the Merchant Mariner
Credential of Mr. William Tee Coffy (hereinafter "Respondent") upon finding proved one
specification of use of or addiction to the use of dangerous drugs.
The specification found proved alleges that Respondent submitted to a random drug test on
May 3, 2012, and that the specimen that he provided subsequently tested positive for the presence
of cocaine metabolites. | Appeal No. 2709 | Suspension and Revocation Appeals Authority | 6/3/2015 | 6/3/2015 | | 10/31/2017 |
| Suspension and Revocation Appeals Authority | 2712 - MORRIS | APPEARANCES
For the Government:
LCDR Maureen D. Johnson, USCG
Mr. John J. Hulslander
Coast Guard Sector Buffalo
For Respondent:
Mrs. Ana Magdalena Morris, as Representative
Administrative Law Judge: Michael J. Devine
This appeal is taken in accordance with 46 U.S.C. Chapter 77, 46 C.F.R. Part 5 and 33 C.F.R. Part 20.
By a Decision and Order (hereinafter "D&O") dated March 7, 2013, an Administrative Law Judge (hereinafter "ALJ") of the United States Coast Guard dismissed the Complaint against the Merchant Mariner Document of Mr. Kwame Rey Morris (hereinafter "Respondent"). The Coast Guard Complaint charged use of or addiction to the use of dangerous drugs, specifically
alleging that Respondent submitted to a random drug test, and that the specimen he provided tested positive for the presence of cocaine metabolites. Upon determining that the Coast Guard failed to provide substantial evidence that Respondent's positive drug test met all the elements of a prima facie case, the ALJ found the
charge not proved and dismissed the complaint with prejudice. | Appeal No. 2712 | Suspension and Revocation Appeals Authority | 1/5/2016 | 1/5/2016 | | 10/31/2017 |
| Suspension and Revocation Appeals Authority | 2716 - CHESBROUGH temp, license | APPEARANCES
For the Government:
LCDR Benjamin M. Robinson
Coast Guard Sector Columbia River
Respondent:
Mr. Richard Albert Chesbrough, pro se
Administrative Law Judge: George J. Jordan
This appeal is taken in accordance with 46 U.S.C. Chapter 77, 46 C.F.R. Part 5, and
33 C.F.R. Part 20.
On July 26, 2016, an Administrative Law Judge (hereinafter "ALJ") of the United States
Coast Guard issued a Decision and Order revoking the Merchant Mariner Credentials of
Mr. Richard A. Chesbrough (hereinafter "Respondent") upon finding proved two specifications
of misconduct, and one specification of conviction of an offense that would preclude issuance of : "
a Coast Guard MMC.
On July 22, 2016, Respondent filed a Notice of Appeal in the matter. He perfected his
appeal by filing an Appellate Brief on August 30, 2016. In a letter dated August 3 0, 2016, Respondent requested issuance of a Temporary
Mariner Credential as appellate action commenced in his case. The ALJ considered
Respondent's request and, on October 13, 2016, issued a Decision and Order denying issuance of
a temporary credential to Respondent. Via letter dated October 29, 2016, Respondent attacks the
ALJ's denial of a temporary credential, among other things, and requests that his credential be
returned to him while he waits for the outcome of his case. I am treating this as an appeal of the
ALJ's denial of his request for a temporary credential.
The ALJ's decision on the temporary credential refers to all tlu·ee of the allegations found
proved: Allegations Two (misconduct: making a false statement in a casualty investigation),
Three (misconduct: attempting to induce a witness to testify falsely in a marine casualty
investigation), and Six (conviction of an offense that would prevent the issuance or renewal of a
MMC). | Appeal No. 2716 | Suspension and Revocation Appeals Authority | 3/23/2017 | 3/23/2017 | | 10/31/2017 |
| Suspension and Revocation Appeals Authority | 2710 - HOPPER | APPEARANCES
For the Government:
Gary F. Ball, Esq.
LT Takila S. Powell, USCG
For Respondent:
William B. Hidalgo, Esq.
Administrative Law Judge: Bruce Tucker Smith
This appeal is taken in accordance with 46 U.S.C. Chapter 77, 46 C.F.R. Part 5, and the
procedures in 33 C.F.R. Part 20.
By a Decision and Order (hereinafter “D&O”) dated September 10, 2014, an
Administrative Law Judge (hereinafter “ALJ”) of the United States Coast Guard dismissed with
prejudice the Coast Guard’s Complaint seeking revocation of the Merchant Mariner Credential
of Mr. Nelson Greg Hopper (hereinafter “Respondent”). The Complaint charged Respondent
with use of, or addiction to the use of, dangerous drugs. The Complaint alleged that Respondent
participated in a random drug test and his samples tested positive for cocaine metabolites. The
ALJ found that the Coast Guard had failed to establish a prima facie case because it did not
prove that Respondent had been ordered to test in accordance with 46 C.F.R. Part 16. Although the record shows that the service agent for Respondent’s employer used a computer-based
random number generator to produce a list of vessels for drug testing, which included the vessel
in which Respondent served, the ALJ found that the Coast Guard had failed to prove that the
selection was random because it did not establish that the selection was made by a scientifically
valid method. | Appeal No. 2710 | Suspension and Revocation Appeals Authority | 10/13/2015 | 10/13/2015 | | 10/31/2017 |
| Suspension and Revocation Appeals Authority | 2715 - SOLOMON | APPEARANCES
For the Government:
CWO Dan Sammons, USCG
LT John D. Nee, USCG
Senior Investigating Officer Mark Gibbs
For Respondent:
Graham W. Syfert, Esq.
Administrative Law Judge: Dean C. Metry
This appeal is taken in accordance with 46 U.S.C. Chapter 77, 46 C.F.R. Part 5, and
33 C.F.R. Part 20.
By a Decision and Order (hereinafter "D&O") dated May 15, 2013, an Administrative Law
Judge of the United States Coast Guard (hereinafter "ALJ") suspended the Merchant Mariner
Document of Ms. Simone Joyce Solomon (hereinafter "Respondent") for fourteen months upon
finding proved one charge of misconduct. The specification found proved alleged that on July 2,
2012, Respondent, while serving as a crewmember aboard the vessel ALLIANCE
CHARLESTON, refused a chemical test, in violation of 49 C.F.R. § 40.191(b), by submitting what
according to 49 C.F.R. § 40.93(b) was a substituted urine specimen.
Respondent subsequently appealed the D&O to the Commandant, United States Coast
Guard, who affirmed the D&O. Respondent then appealed to the National Transportation Safety
Board (NTSB). In Zukunft v. Solomon, NTSB Order No. EM-213 (March 24, 2016), the NTSB
remanded the matter for further examination of salient issues.
The parties now advise that they have reached a tentative settlement agreement, and
request that the matter be remanded to the ALJ to allow the agreement to be effected. | Appeal No. 2715 | Suspension and Revocation Appeals Authority | 10/3/2016 | 10/3/2016 | | 10/31/2017 |
| Suspension and Revocation Appeals Authority | 2708 - SOLOMON | APPEARANCES
For the Government:
CWO Dan Sammons, USCG
LT John D. Nee, USCG
Senior Investigating Officer Mark Gibbs
For Respondent:
Graham W. Syfert, Esq.
Administrative Law Judge: Dean C. Metry
This appeal is taken in accordance with 46 U.S.C. Chapter 77, 46 C.F.R. Part 5, and
33 C.F.R. Part 20.
By a Decision and Order (hereinafter "D&O") dated May 15, 20 ~ 3, an Administrative Law
Judge (hereinafter "AU") of the United States Coast Guard suspended the Merchant Mariner
Document of Ms. Simone Joyce Solomon (hereinafter "Respondent") for fourteen months upon
finding proved one charge of misconduct. The specification found proved alleges that on July 2,
2012, Respondent, while serving as a crewmember aboard the vessel ALLIANCE
CHARLESTON, refused a chemical test, in violation of 49 C.F .R. § 40.191 (b ), by submitting what
according to 49 C.F.R. § 40.93(b) was a substituted specimen. | Appeal No. 2708 | Suspension and Revocation Appeals Authority | 5/18/2015 | 5/18/2015 | | 10/31/2017 |
| Suspension and Revocation Appeals Authority | 2704 - FRANKS | APPEARANCES
For the Government:
CWO Christian Menefee, USCG
LT Christopher Jones, USCG
Coast Guard Sector Houston/Galveston
Mr. Brian C. Crockett
Suspension and Revocation National Center of Expertise
For Respondent:
Michael Aaron Franks, pro se
Administrative Law Judge: Dean C. Metry
This appeal is taken in accordance with 46 U.S.C. § 7701 et seq., 46 C.F.R. Part 5, and the
procedures in 33 C.F.R. Part 20.
By a Decision and Order (hereinafter “D&O”) dated November 16, 2011, an
Administrative Law Judge (hereinafter “ALJ”) of the United States Coast Guard dismissed the
Coast Guard’s Complaint against Mr. Michael Aaron Franks (hereinafter “Respondent”). The
Complaint alleged that Respondent was a user of or was addicted to the use of dangerous drugs.
While the ALJ found that Respondent tested positive for cocaine metabolites during a drug test, because the ALJ determined that Respondent’s drug test was not conducted in accordance with the
regulatory requirements of 46 C.F.R. Part 16 (the Coast Guard’s chemical testing requirements),
the ALJ found the Coast Guard’s Complaint Not Proved and dismissed the matter with prejudice. | Appeal No. 2704 | Suspension and Revocation Appeals Authority | 7/30/2014 | 7/30/2014 | | 10/31/2017 |
| Suspension and Revocation Appeals Authority | 2702 - CARROLL | APPEARANCES
For the Government:
CWO Christian Menefee, USCG
L T Christopher L. Jones, USCG
Coast Guard Sector Houston/Galveston
Mr. Gary F. Ball
Suspension and Revocation National Center of Expertise
For Respondent:
Vuk S. Vujasinovic, Esq.
Kenneth B. Fenelon, Jr., Esq.
Vujasinovic & Beckcom, PLLC
Administrative Law Judge: Dean C. Metry
This appeal is taken in accordance with 46 U.S.C. § 7701 et seq., 46 C.F.R. Part 5, and the
procedures in 33 C.P.R. Part 20.
By a Decision and Order (hereinafter "0&0,.) dated January 20, 2012, an Administrative
Law Judge (hereinafter "ALJ") of the United States Coast Guard suspended the Merchant Mariner
License of Mr. Shean Mason Carroll (hereinafter "Respondent") for twenty-four months upon
finding proved two charges of misconduct in violation of 46 U.S.C. § 7703(1 )(b) and 46 C.F.R. § 5.27, by refusing a drug test. The specifications found proved alleged that on February 5, 2010,
Respondent refused a drug test, following a determination that the temperature of his urine sample
was outside the acceptable range, by failing to raise and lower his clothing to permit the observer
to determine that he did not have a prosthetic device, and by possessing or wearing a prosthetic
device that could be used to interfere with the sample collection process. The Coast Guard
appeals. | Appeal No. 2702 | Suspension and Revocation Appeals Authority | 10/10/2013 | 10/10/2013 | | 10/31/2017 |
| Suspension and Revocation Appeals Authority | 2711 - TROSCLAIR | APPEARANCES
For the Government:
Bruce L. Davies, Esq.
CWO James R. Mints, USCG
Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur
For the Respondent:
Christopher H. Riviere, Esq.
William N. Abel, Esq.
Law Office of Christopher H. Riviere
Administrative Law Judge: Bruce Tucker Smith
This appeal is taken in accordance with 46 U.S.C. Chapter 77, 46 C.F.R. Part 5 and
33 C.F.R. Part 20.
By a Decision and Order (hereinafter "D&O") dated April 23, 2014, an Administrative
Law Judge (hereinafter "ALJ") of the United States Coast Guard revoked the Merchant Mariner
Credential of Mr. Byron Anthony Trosclair (hereinafter "Respondent") upon finding proved two
specifications of negligence and one specification of misconduct.
The first negligence specification alleges that Respondent, while acting under the authority of his Coast Guard-issued license as Master of the STARFLEET PATRIOT, was negligent in that
he failed to ensure that the STARFLEET PA TRI OT was positioned close enough to the platform
that was the destination of his passengers to ensure the safe swing rope transfers of the passengers,
and intentionally made the swing rope transfers more difficult than necessary in order to provide
"training" for the passengers that were transferring from the ST ARFLEET PATRIOT to the
platform.
The second negligence specification alleges that Respondent, while in the same capacity,
was negligent in that he failed to have the vessel's rescue ladder/platform in a ready position
during passenger transfers from the ST ARFLEET PA TRI OT to the work platform, and failed to
provide any rescue assistance to a passenger who had fallen overboard while attempting to swing
from the vessel to the platform.
The misconduct specification alleges that Respondent, while in the same capacity, violated
46 U.S.C. § 2303 by wrongfully failing to render assistance to an overboard passenger after a
marine casualty. | Appeal No. 2711 | Suspension and Revocation Appeals Authority | 12/1/2015 | 12/1/2015 | | 10/31/2017 |
| Suspension and Revocation Appeals Authority | 2548 - SWEENEY | A petition for stay of the effect of Vice Commandant
Decision on Appeal 2546 has been taken pursuant to 46
C.F.R. 5.715.
BACKGROUND
By an order dated 21 June 1991, an Administrative Law Judge
of the United States Coast Guard at Alameda, California suspended
Appellant's License and Merchant Mariner's Document outright for
six months with six additional months suspension remitted on twelve months probation, upon finding proved the charge of use of
dangerous drugs. The single specification supporting the charge
alleged that, on or about 27 December 1990, Appellant wrongfully
used marijuana as evidenced by a urine specimen collected on that
date pursuant to a drug test program required by his employer,
San Francisco Bar Pilot Association.
The Administrative Law Judge's final order suspending all
licenses and documents issued to Appellant was entered on 21 June
1991. Service of the Decision and Order was made on 28 June
1991. Appellant filed a notice of appeal on 2 July 1991. On 3
July 1991, the Administrative Law Judge granted Appellant's
written request for a temporary license in accordance with 46
C.F.R. 5.707. Appellant subsequently perfected his appeal by
filing an appellate brief on 1 August 1991. On 3 January 1992,
the temporary license was reissued with the Commandant's
authorization. On 18 February 1992, without deciding the merits
of Appellant's appeal, Decision on Appeal 2535
remanded the case back to the Administrative Law Judge, and
directed him to reopen the hearing for the reasons discussed
therein. (Decision on Appeal 2535 at 9). | Appeal No. 2548 | Suspension and Revocation Appeals Authority | 10/9/1992 | 10/9/1992 | | 11/30/2017 |