A federal grand jury has indicted Daniel Gavin Couch, 52, on a charge of seaman’s manslaughter. According to the indictment, Couch was working as a captain for Lighthouse Parasail, Inc. in Monroe County, Florida. He operated the commercial parasailing vessel M/V AIRBORNE, which is regulated by the U.S. Coast Guard and used primarily for parasailing charters.
The indictment alleges that on May 30, 2022, Couch engaged in misconduct, negligence, or failed to pay attention to his duties as captain. This conduct allegedly led to the death of a passenger aboard the vessel.
If convicted, Couch could face up to 10 years in federal prison.
“U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Josh W. Packer of the Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) Southeast Field Office made the announcement.”
The investigation was conducted by CGIS Southeast Field Office with support from U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Lake Worth and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Office of Law Enforcement.
“Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller and Coast Guard Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanner Stiehl are prosecuting the case.”
Authorities remind that an indictment contains only allegations and that a defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Additional information about this case can be found at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 24-CR-10036.
