Boat Captain To Surrender License Pending Manslaughter Trial

NEWPORT, RI —The boat captain involved in a 2015 fatal accident off Westerly has been ordered to surrender his merchant marine license, the U.S Attorney's office said Tuesday. Cooper “Chick” Bacon, 78, of Cape May, N.J., was arraigned Tuesday in Providence federal court. He was released on $50,000 unsecured bond with these conditions. He must surrender his passport, his U.S. Coast Guard 100-ton Merchant Marine license and not pilot or operate any vessel or travel outside the country, the U.S. Attorney's office said.

Bacon is awaiting trial for seaman's manslaughter in connection with a Sept. 22, 2015 fatal accident off Westerly. Bacon's yacht collided with the Peggy K, a 23-foot power boat. Walter S. Krupinski, 81, of Stonington, Conn., was killed.

"It is alleged that, among other things, Bacon failed to take precautions required by the ordinary practice of seamen; adequately assess the risk of collision; proceed at a safe speed; post his First Mate to look-out; and properly overtake, give-way and steer well clear of the Peggy K," the U.S. Attorney's office said.

The Coast Guard investigated the case.

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