-
U.S. Coast Guard vs. Captain Mark Stinziano
Infamous U.S. Coast Guard Suspension & Revocation Case and ongoing legal saga.
U.S. Coast Guard vs. Captain Mark Stinziano
On February 24, 2025, U.S. Coast Guard Administrative Law Judge George Jordan issued a long-awaited ruling in USCG vs. Captain Mark Stinziano, finding that the former Maersk officer committed abusive sexual contact against a U.S. Merchant Marine Academy cadet and violated Maersk Line, Limited’s anti-harassment policy aboard the M/V Maersk Idaho in 2014–2015.
Jordan extended Stinziano’s merchant mariner license suspension to twelve months, up from the four-month suspension originally imposed by ALJ Michael Devine in 2022. But despite confirming that Stinziano’s conduct constituted sexual assault under federal law, Jordan refused to revoke his license. Why? Because the Coast Guard never amended its complaint to include charges under the 2022 Safer Seas Act, which makes sexual assault or harassment grounds for mandatory revocation.
Judge Jordan’s findings about Stinziano’s shipboard conduct were damning. Jordan concluded that Stinziano acted “with the conscious objective to humiliate, harass, and degrade” the cadet, and that his actions created a “hostile environment” aboard the vessel. Specifically, the court found that Stinziano:
Groped the cadet’s buttocks multiple times without consent;
Simulated sex acts, grabbing the cadet from behind and thrusting against him in public;
Made rape jokes and crude remarks about sexually assaulting cadets;
Called the cadet “buttercake” and demanded to be called “daddy” over the radio;
Drew a penis on the cadet’s hard hat and forced him to wear it around the crew;
Forced the cadet to smell a pen that Stinziano claimed had been in his own buttocks;
Threatened to punch the cadet in the genitals.
Jordan concluded these acts met the legal definition of abusive sexual contact under 18 U.S.C. § 2244(b) and violated Maersk’s written shipboard conduct policies:
“Respondent committed the touching of the deck cadet’s buttocks and the simulated sex acts with the conscious objective to humiliate, harass, and degrade the deck cadet.”
“These actions violated Maersk Line, Limited’s Anti-Harassment Policy and created a hostile environment aboard the vessel.”
Despite those findings, Judge Jordan said he could not consider revocation because Coast Guard prosecutors did not amend their complaint after the Safer Seas Act was enacted in December 2022:
“Although 46 U.S.C. § 7704a [Safer Seas Act] could apply retroactively, it was not charged, and it would violate respondent’s due process rights for the court to apply a new standard not identified in the complaint.”
As of this ruling on February 24, 2025 Stinziano has served four of the twelve suspended months and is under a twelve-month probation term (four months already served). Once that time is completed, he may be eligible to return to work as a U.S.-licensed ship captain.
Importantly, this case is not over. Coast Guard prosecutors may still seek to amend their complaint to formally charge violations under the Safer Seas Act. They may also appeal Judge Jordan’s decision. Maritime Legal Aid & Advocacy will continue monitoring the case as it develops.
MLAA founder Ryan Melogy, who blew the whistle on Stinziano after sailing with him aboard the Maersk Idaho, called the decision both a step forward and a systemic failure:
“This represents vindication—and it’s taken ten years to get here. But let’s be honest: the punishment was ridiculous. A man found to have sexually abused a cadet gets to keep his license because the Coast Guard didn’t file the right paperwork? That’s not justice. That’s a system designed and determined to protect predators in this industry.”
Stinziano remains a member in good standing of the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots, whose former president Don Marcus has vigorously defended Stinziano for years. Stinziano was employed by Maersk Line, Limited until August 2022, when the company finally terminated him—more than seven years after the misconduct at issue in this case was first reported.
Timeline of Events
March 11, 2025 – TradeWinds publishes article on Judge Jordan’s ruling: “Judge amps up punishment of former Maersk mariner in sexual abuse case.” MLAA founder Ryan Melogy calls the ruling “vindication,” but says the punishment given to Stinziano is “ridiculous.”
February 24, 2025 – Coast Guard ALJ Jordan issues his final Decision and Order, which has become known as the “Stinziano II Decision & Order,” distinguishing it from the “Stinziano I” D&O issued by ALJ Michael Devine on April 20, 2022. In Stinziano II, Judge Jordan’s findings include:
Stinziano committed abusive sexual contact and violated Maersk’s anti-harassment policy.
Extends license suspension to twelve months.
Refuses revocation due to Coast Guard’s failure to amend the complaint.
Notes the case remains open to further amendment or appeal.
December 4, 2023 – TradeWinds publishes:
“‘Hazing’ or sexual abuse? US Coast Guard court still grappling with case dating back nine years.”
November 13, 2023 – USCG prosecutors file two post-remand briefs, urging the court to apply federal sexual assault standards and the Safer Seas Act. Judge Jordan ultimately finds they failed to amend the complaint as required.
September 14, 2023 – ALJ Jordan holds a pre-hearing conference. Both sides waive additional testimony; case proceeds on the record.
January 6, 2023 – Commandant Linda Fagan issues a Decision on Appeal:
Finds the prior ruling by ALJ Devine flawed.
Remands the case for reconsideration of whether the conduct constituted sexual contact.
Declines to directly apply the Safer Seas Act.
August 20, 2022 – Stinziano’s initial four-month suspension ends.
His MMC and MMD are reinstated.
Late August 2022 – After years of delay, Maersk fires Stinziano under pressure from media and advocacy groups.
April 20, 2022 – ALJ Michael Devine issues his ruling:
Finds “assault and battery,” but downplays it as “hazing.”
Suspends license for four months.
Refuses revocation.
June 2021 – Initial Coast Guard hearing held before ALJ Devine.
April 29, 2021 – Coast Guard files Amended Complaint, adding further allegations.
August 20, 2020 – Original Complaint filed under 46 U.S.C. § 7703(1)(B).
February 3, 2015 – First formal report of misconduct made to Maersk and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
December 2014 – March 2015 – Sexual misconduct occurs aboard the M/V Maersk Idaho while Stinziano serves as Chief Mate.
As of April 11, 2025…the saga continues.
Links to stories about U.S. Coast Guard vs. Mark Stinziano:
Tradewinds: “US judge amps up punishment of former Maersk mariner in sexual abuse case.”
Tradewinds: ‘Hazing’ or sexual abuse? US Coast Guard court still grappling with case dating back nine years (December 4, 2023)
U.S. Coast Guard: Prosecutors Submit Post-Remand Brief Arguing Captain Stinziano Repeatedly Sexually Assaulted a USMMA Cadet Aboard the M/V Maersk Idaho & USCG ALJ Committed Reversible Error (November 13, 2023)
U.S. Coast Guard: Prosecutors Seek Revocation of Captain Stinziano’s License Under Stringent New “Safer Seas Act” Provisions Against Maritime Sexual Assault (November 13, 2023)
U.S. Coast Guard: Commandant Linda Fagan’s Decision on Appeal in USCG vs. Stinziano (January 6, 2023).
Tradewinds: Captain fired by Maersk Line Ltd after ‘hazing’ suspension
Shipping Watch: Maersk captain was convicted for offences on ship – authority demands stronger sentence
Shipping Watch: Maersk fires captain due to harassment case from 2015
Maritime Executive: Maersk Officer has License Suspended for Misconduct to Cadet at Sea
Tradewinds: Maersk captain suspended after ‘hazing’, not molesting, deck cadet. US Coast Guard judge declines to strip Maersk Line Ltd captain of his licence, even after finding he assaulted a deck cadet
Tradewinds: Maersk Captain Faces Fire Over Allegations of Sexual Misconduct at Sea. Mariner Could be Stripped of his License over Accusations of Groping Shipmates & Other Illegal Behavior.
Decision of Judge Michael Devine: U.S. Coast Guard vs. Mark Stinziano
Insurance Marine News: Captain suspended after groping accusation
Insurance Marine News: Maersk Line Ltd fires captain in sexual harassment case
MLAA: Maersk captain suspended four months after judge Michael Devine finds multiple sexual assaults and pattern of extreme sexual harassment against USMMA deck cadet constituted ‘hazing’, not ‘molestation’
MLAA: U.S. Coast Guard Prosecutors File Notice of Appeal In U.S.C.G. vs. Mark Stinziano. New Commandant Linda Fagan Will Decide Fate of Maersk Captain. Decision Expected in August 2022.
MLAA: Melogy v. Maersk: When MLAA Founder Filed A Union Grievance Against A Sexually Predatory Maersk Captain, Disgraced MMP President Don Marcus & Maersk Leadership Conspired to Shield Him From Justice
MLAA: PART ONE: U.S. Coast Guard vs. Stinziano—“The Initial Report, February 3, 2015”
MLAA: PART TWO: U.S. Coast Guard vs. Stinziano—“Maersk Sends in the Lawyers and Swings Into Sex Crime Coverup Mode”—February 3, 2015
MLAA: MLAA Founder Files Legal Complaint Against Crowley For Physical & Psychological Abuse Aboard M/V Washington Express. Complaint Alleges Attacks Were Retaliation From MMP President Don Marcus
MLAA: An Epic Sexual Assault Scandal, 30 Years in the Making, is Coming for the U.S. Coast Guard. This FOIA Request is only the Beginning.