A 49-year-old boat owner from Ocala, Dustin Sean McCabe, has been arrested and indicted on multiple charges, including manslaughter, in connection with the death of a seaman during an unauthorized scuba diving charter he led in March 2020.
On Thursday, August 29, 2024, McCabe appeared in court for the first time after being indicted on charges of seaman’s manslaughter, making false statements, and wire fraud.
According to the indictment and local reports in Ocala News, McCabe purchased a 48-foot vessel named Southern Comfort in March 2020. He is accused of falsely claiming to the U.S. Coast Guard that the boat was for recreational use, while allegedly intending to use it for paid scuba charters. The indictment further alleges that McCabe modified the vessel, including the removal of its main deck engine controls, to accommodate these charters.
On March 28 and 29, 2020, McCabe is said to have operated Southern Comfort as a passenger vessel, conducting unauthorized scuba diving charters. The indictment claims that McCabe’s negligent operation of the vessel on March 29 resulted in the death of a seaman, leading to the suspension of his ability to offer paid services with the boat.
The indictment also alleges that after being barred from operating the vessel for commercial purposes, McCabe engaged in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) fraud by submitting two loan applications under his business, Florida Scuba Charters, Inc. It is claimed that he fraudulently obtained and/or had these loans forgiven.
On Wednesday, August 28, 2024, McCabe was arrested by special agents from the Coast Guard’s Investigative Service. He was taken to Marion County Jail and released the following day.
It’s important to note that an indictment consists of allegations, and McCabe is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
If convicted of seaman’s manslaughter, McCabe could face up to 10 years in prison. Convictions on charges of making false statements and wire fraud could result in maximum sentences of 5 and 20 years, respectively.
The investigation was carried out by the Coast Guard’s Investigative Service Southeast Field Office, with assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Lake Worth and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Office of Law Enforcement.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller and Coast Guard Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanner Stiehl.
