Ferry Captain Sentenced to Four Years’ Jail for Criminal Negligence

A former Queen of the North officer was convicted of criminal negligence causing death in the disappearances of two passengers after the ferry failed to change course and crashed into Gil Island. At the time, the officer was alone on the bridge with a helmswoman with whom he’d once had an affair. In sentencing the officer to four years in jail, the court said this relationship was a factor in the sinking. She also barred him from operating any vessel for 10 years. The officer’s lawyers already announced plans to appeal the verdict [Karl Lilgert, June 24, 2013].