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U.S. Coast Guard vs. Mark Stinziano
Infamous U.S. Coast Guard Suspension & Revocation Investigation, Hearing, Decision, Appeal, Appellate Decision, and ongoing saga….
On April 20, 2022 a federal judge suspended Captain Mark Stinziano’s merchant mariner’s license after he was found to have committed at least three acts of “assault and battery” against a USMMA deck cadet and to have committed other forms of sexual misconduct aboard the M/V Maersk Idaho in 2014 and 2015.
Despite this, Maersk continued to employ Stinziano throughout the term of his suspension. Finally, in late August of 2022 media pressure forced Maersk to fire Captain Stinziano—more than 7 years after he was first reported to Maersk.
Stinziano remains a member in good standing of the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots—led by Don Marcus, who has ferociously defended Captain Stinziano for years.
Stinziano also remains in good standing with the U.S. Coast Guard. On August 20, 2022 Stinziano’s four month suspension ended and his USCG-issued license and MMD were returned to him. He is once again allowed to work as a Captain in the U.S. maritime industry.
On January 6, 2023 U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Linda Fagan issued her Commandant’s Decision on Appeal (CDOA) in the matter of USCG vs. Stinziano. Fagan took 9 months to issue her decision, which was issued under her exclusive authority. In her opinion Fagan refused to condemn shipboard sexual assault, set aside the ALJ’s decision in the case, and remanded the case back to the predator-protecting ALJ court system for a determination on whether or not obvious sexual assaults are actually sexual assaults.
On November 13, 2023 USCG prosecutors submitted 2 Remand Briefs to the USCG ALJ hearing the case on remand from the Commandant. The Briefs are linked below.
On December 4, 2023 maritime trade publication Tradewinds published a new story about USCG v. Stinziano (‘Hazing’ or sexual abuse? US Coast Guard court still grappling with case dating back nine years).
As of January 15, 2024…the saga continues.
Links to stories about U.S. Coast Guard vs. Mark Stinziano:
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
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: PART ONE: U.S. Coast Guard vs. Stinziano—“The Initial Report, February 3, 2015”