The Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office announced Monday that Ocean Angel VI, the owner of the commercial squid vessel Speranza Marie, has agreed to pay a $100,000 settlement for violations of the Government Code, the Fish and Game Code, and the Health and Safety Code. The settlement follows a 2022 incident in which the vessel ran aground at Chinese Harbor on Santa Cruz Island after the captain fell asleep while operating the boat.
Incident details
In December 2022, the Speranza Marie struck the shoreline of the federally protected habitat on Santa Cruz Island. The collision released more than a thousand gallons of diesel fuel and hydraulic fluid into the open ocean, creating a visible sheen that stretched roughly a mile and coating several hundred seabirds with oil.
Rescue crews from a passing fishing vessel saved the skipper and crew members from the grounded ship on the day of the accident. Because of stormy seas and the vessel’s precarious position, the Speranza Marie broke free a second time and could not be recovered until the following month.
Investigation findings
County investigators determined that the captain had been operating the vessel while severely sleep‑deprived. Records show the skipper embarked on the commercial fishing trip only hours after returning from a previous trip and had logged roughly three hours of sleep over the two‑day period leading up to the grounding.
Environmental officials noted that the spill threatened local marine life, prompting a multi‑agency cleanup effort. The owners of the Speranza Marie cooperated fully with the investigation and assisted in the response operations.
Settlement terms
Under the agreement, $20,000 of the penalty will be earmarked for future oil‑spill response funding and supplemental projects aimed at rehabilitating injured marine wildlife. The remaining $80,000 will cover the violations cited in the Government, Fish and Game, and Health and Safety Codes.
DA’s statement
District Attorney Savrnoch said, “This case is yet another reminder of what can happen when individuals operate motorized vehicles both on land and at sea—without proper sleep. We are grateful that no persons were injured as a result of this incident, but the environmental harm was substantial and could have easily been avoided. Hopefully this incident serves as a reminder to those who operate commercial fishing vessels of how important it is to implement appropriate sleep and rest policies.”
Community impact
The settlement underscores the county’s commitment to protecting the fragile ecosystems surrounding Santa Cruz Island and to holding commercial operators accountable for negligent practices. Local fishermen and environmental groups have praised the swift action, noting that it sends a clear message about the importance of safety and environmental stewardship in California’s vital fishing industry.
Authorities continue to monitor the affected shoreline and wildlife, and they encourage residents to report any signs of oil contamination. The case also highlights the need for stricter rest‑policy enforcement among commercial vessel operators, a topic that may see further discussion at upcoming county fisheries meetings.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
