U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling along with Charleston Police Chief Chito Walker and Coast Guard Investigative Service agents spoke to local media following the sentencing of vessel Operator and Chief Engineer in 2024 runaway ship incident in Charleston. “The Charleston Harbor is the lifeblood of the iconic Lowcountry coastal region, facilitating $88 billion in economic impact to our state each year, serving thousands of local residents and welcoming millions of visitors each year,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan P. Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “The defendants’ actions put all of that and lives in grave danger when it disregarded maritime law in a time of potential crisis. The true heroes here are our local law enforcement, who evacuated the Ravenel bridge and local beaches, and the harbor pilot who navigated the vessel safely out to sea. Today’s sentencing reminds mariners and their operating companies that they have a responsibility to protect our waterways and communities when operating these enormous vessels.” 🔗

U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling speaks following the sentencing of two former North Charleston City Councilmen and their co-conspirators in a public corruption scheme. @FBIColumbia and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division investigated. Read more: