Charter boat owners admit student's manslaughter

The father and son operators of a Cape Cod charter boat have admitted to the manslaughter of an Irish student who fell through a broken railing on their craft and drowned.

Joseph Jay Shore, aged 64, and his son, Cord Mitchell Shore, aged 40, were charged with the death of Catherine Kinsella, aged 20, of Dublin, in July 2001 when they appeared in a Boston court yesterday.

Both men may escape a prison term under a plea agreement with prosecutors.

Under the deal, prosecutors will recommend zero to six months in jail along with probation, said lawyer Richard Egbert, who represents Joseph Shore.

It would be the same agreement for both defendants, Mr Egbert said.

“It’s a tragic accident,” Egbert said. “The plea was to those sections of the statute that relate to negligence.”

If the deal is rejected by the judge, then men could face up to 10 years in federal prison. Sentencing was set for September 9.

“Although nothing could make up for the unimaginable loss suffered by Catherine’s family and friends, I hope that they draw some comfort in knowing that law enforcement has done all in its power to ensure that those responsible be held accountable,” US Attorney Michael Sullivan said.

Prosecutors said the Shores set sail on the Sea Genie II that day.

Cord Shore, the first mate, failed to adequately monitor the radar and the charter boat drifted into a sailboat moored inside the Hyannisport breakwater, causing the railing to break, prosecutors said.

Kinsella fell through shortly afterward.

The Coast Guard and Barnstable police found Kinsella shortly after they arrived, but she had no pulse and could not be resuscitated.