Brian Lewis, Vessel Abandonment and Attempted Insurance Claim Fraud, Washington 2009

Bainbridge Island, WA – Brian Lewis avoided significant jail time despite admitting to intentionally sinking his own boat and attempting to defraud an insurance company, according to court records obtained by GrimyTimes. The incident, which occurred in 2009, highlights a growing problem of derelict vessels plaguing Washington state waterways and burdening both the U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) with substantial removal costs.

On March 26, 2009, Lewis was charged with one count of violating the Washington State Derelict Vessel Act and one count of attempted insurance claim fraud – both misdemeanor offenses. The charges stemmed from the deliberate scuttling of the 36-foot pleasure craft, the Jubilee, in Murden Cove, on Bainbridge Island. The vessel subsequently washed ashore on state-owned aquatic lands, creating a potential navigational hazard and raising concerns about marine pollution.

The U.S. Coast Guard responded to the incident, initiating a preliminary investigation. The Washington DNR was then tasked with the costly and complex operation of removing the abandoned vessel. Authorities quickly determined the sinking was not accidental. Evidence suggested Lewis intentionally caused the Jubilee to sink, then filed a fraudulent insurance claim attempting to profit from the loss.

Lewis ultimately pleaded guilty to both charges on April 13, 2009. Despite the deliberate nature of the crime and the financial burden placed on state resources, Lewis received a remarkably lenient sentence. He was sentenced to 15 months incarceration, with all but one day of the sentence suspended – effectively a day served. He was also ordered to pay $500 in restitution, designated as a “victim assessment.”

Table of Contents

Toggle

Legal Ramifications & Recurring Issue

The Washington State Derelict Vessel Act aims to prevent the abandonment of vessels that pose a threat to the environment and navigation. Violations can result in both criminal penalties and civil liability for removal costs. Attempted insurance fraud, even in misdemeanor cases, carries penalties including fines and potential jail time, dependent on the value of the attempted fraudulent claim. The comparatively light sentence in this case has raised questions among marine law enforcement sources, who suggest it may not serve as a sufficient deterrent.

This case is far from isolated. Vessel abandonment remains a consistent and costly problem for the Coast Guard and DNR in Washington state. Each year, numerous vessels are abandoned, requiring millions of dollars in taxpayer funds for their removal. These abandoned vessels can obstruct navigation, leak pollutants, and damage sensitive marine ecosystems. Authorities are actively seeking stricter enforcement and increased penalties to address the issue and discourage future incidents.

Key Facts

Defendant: Brian Lewis
Crime: Vessel Abandonment & Attempted Insurance Fraud
State: Washington
Year: 2009
Vessel: 36-foot pleasure craft, Jubilee
Location: Murden Cove, Bainbridge Island, WA
Statutes Violated: Washington State Derelict Vessel Act, Attempted Insurance Claim Fraud (misdemeanors)
Sentence: 15 months incarceration (all but one day suspended), $500 restitution
Responding Agencies: U.S. Coast Guard, Washington Department of Natural Resources