Press Release Date: May 18, 2007
Contact: Dwight C. Holton
(503) 727-1128
Fax: (503) 727-1117


CHARTER BOAT CAPTAIN SENTENCED TO 6 YEARS IN PRISON
Richard J. Oba Caused the Death of Three Passengers in Boat Sinking


PORTLAND, OREGON - An Oregon charter fishing boat captain was
sentenced to 6 years imprisonment today in federal court in
Portland. Richard J. Oba, of Winchester Bay, was the owner and
captain of the Sydney Mae II, a 38 foot boat Oba used to conduct
fishing charters. On September 19, 2005, Oba steered the boat into
dangerous waters after being warned to stay away by the U. S. Coast
Guard. The boat was struck by large wave and sunk off the Umpqua
River Bar, killing three passengers. Oba had pled guilty to three
counts of Seaman's Manslaughter, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1115.

The Honorable Ancer L. Haggerty, Chief Judge, agreed with prosecutors
that Oba had acted recklessly, and upwardly departed to sentence Oba
to 6 years.

Karin J. Immergut, United States Attorney for the District of Oregon,
and United States Coast Guard Captain Patrick G. Gerrity, Captain of
the Port, Portland, applauded the sentence. "This sends the message
loud and clear: if you ignore the warnings of the Coast Guard and
tragedy results, you will go to prison," Ms. Immergut said.

"The seas and river bars can be extremely dangerous," Captain Gerrity
said. "Although, the vast majority of commercial operators in Oregon
have excellent records and work closely with the Coast Guard in
maintaining the highest level of safety, today's sentence will
demonstrate to those captains who operate their boats in a hazardous
or reckless manner that they will be held accountable."


The sentence is believed to be the longest ever in this type of case.
The pilot of Staten Island Ferry, operating in waters off New York
City, received a sentence of 18 months after he fell asleep at the
helm and crashed his ferry into a pier, killing eleven.

William Harris, age 57, of Springfield, Oregon; Virginia Strelow, age
63, of Reedsport, Oregon; and Paul Turner, age 76, of Boise, Idaho
died as a result of the sinking of the Sydney Mae II on September 19,
2005. Oba and passenger Jim Parker, of Eugene, were plucked from the
ocean after the accident by the men and women of the United States
Coast Guard Station Umpqua River.

Ms. Immergut expressed appreciation for the work of the Coast Guard:
"This case is full of tragedy - but we should also recognize the
heroic conduct of the men and women of Station Umpqua River, who
risked their lives to save Mr. Parker and the defendant."

The case was investigated by the Coast Guard Investigative Service.
Coast Guard Sector Portland also contributed to the investigation and
prosecution. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney
Dwight C. Holton who was assisted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney
Aaron W. Reiman, United States Coast Guard.

For further information, contact Assistant U.S. Attorney Dwight C.
Holton, (503) 727-1128, or Lieutenant Adam Birst with the United
States Coast Guard, Sector Portland, (503) 240-9312.

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