$9,500 Fine For Man Who Pointed Blue Laser At Washington Ferry

EDMONDS, WA - The U.S. Coast Guard has handed down a $9,500 fine to a Whidbey Island man who pointed a high-powered laser at a state ferry in 2015, according to the agency.

The incident happened in October 2015 when Mark Raden pointed a blue laser at the ferry Tokitae. Raden was traveling on a ferry between Mukilteo and Clinton when the incident happened. Raden's laser hit the master and chief mate of the Tokitae in the eyes, which the coast guard says endangered the safety of the crew and the 106 passengers on board.

The coast guard fine is on top of criminal punishment: Raden has pleaded guilty to a reckless endangerment charge and was sentenced to 240 hours of community service, 24 months probation, and over $3,700 in fines.

"This one person's irresponsible actions could have had a much more tragic outcome for the passengers of the Tokitae as the vessel was preparing to arrive in Clinton. The Coast Guard will pursue appropriate criminal or civil enforcement actions against anyone who interferes with the safe operation of vessels," Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound chief of prevention Cmdr. Darwin Jensen warned in a press release.

Image via U.S. Coast Guard