Marathon Man Charged with Seaman’s Manslaughter

MIAMI - A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Daniel Gavin Couch, 52, with one count of seaman's manslaughter.

According to the indictment, Couch was employed as a captain by Lighthouse Parasail, Inc., in Monroe County, Florida, and operated a commercial parasailing vessel, the M/V AIRBORNE, on the company's behalf. The AIRBORNE was an inspected commercial vessel regulated by the U.S. Coast Guard and primarily used for parasailing charters.

On May 30, 2022, Couch engaged in misconduct, negligence, or inattention to his duties as captain, causing the death of a passenger.

If convicted, Couch faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O'Byrne for the Southern District of Florida and Special Agent in Charge Josh W. Packer of the Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) Southeast Field Office made the announcement.

CGIS Southeast Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Lake Worth and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Office of Law Enforcement.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller and Coast Guard Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tanner Stiehl are prosecuting the case.

An indictment contains mere allegations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at https://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on https://http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 24-CR-10036.

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