Man fined $5,000 for jumping off dinner cruise ship

RICHLAND, Washington (LOG NEWS SERVICE) — The Coast Guard issued a $5,000 fine to someone who jumped overboard from an entertainment vessel into the Columbia River in Richland in June.

The fine was issued in mid-November after the Coast Guard received an investigation report from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff’s office responded to the June 15 incident after they say a man climbed over the rail of a dinner cruise boat and jumped off.

The Sheriff’s office says the man had asked the captain if he could jump but the captain said no.

The man swam to shore safely after the jump. His name was not released.

Intentionally jumping into the water from a passenger vessel is considered interfering with the safe operation of the vessel and is illegal.