Coast Guard: Man who jumped off ferry suffered 'significant injuries,' fined

SEATTLE (AP) — The Coast Guard has issued a $5,000 fine to a man who intentionally jumped overboard from a Washington state ferry before the vessel left the Bremerton, Washington, ferry terminal.

The agency said Wednesday that the man suffered "significant injuries" when he jumped off the ferry Kaleetan on March 21. Ferry crew members in a rescue boat retrieved him. The man was not identified.

Coast Guard spokesman George Degener said he didn't know why the man jumped but said the agency determined it was intentional.

Chief Warrant Officer Brian Hennessy says ferry crew members are responsible for passenger safety. He says they had to divert their attention from the safe operation of the ferry to the rescue effort, while still keeping the remaining passengers safe.