A Florida man employed by an online company that offers their customers by-the-hour service of a skilled captain for their personal boats has been accused of DUI while operating a client’s vessel.
A boat owner seeking a captain to take him and his guests to the yearly Gasparilla invasion festival found what he was looking for on AnchorRides.com. This service provides “on demand” booking for captains to operate personal boats for a fee of $50 an hour, and matches clients with personnel based on location.
24-year-old Nathan Stasio was hired for an 8-hour period to provide captain services on the man’s boat during the historical Tampa, Florida, pirate-themed event for the man and his guests.
Stasio dropped off the party in Tampa, and it was stated by the client that he was satisfied with the services. The man asked Stasio if he would be interested in taking the boat back to Clearwater for an additional $250, and Stasio agreed to the task.
On his way back to Clearwater Stasio was allegedly speeding, and he caught the attention of an officer from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission who has accused him of driving the boat under the influence.
Stasio was taken into custody and charged with DUI and manufacture of cannabis. Though he is listed as a captain on the AnchorRides.com site the Coast Guard has no record indicating that Stasio possesses a license to captain a boat. It was also reported that Stasio had received a prior DUI charge in 2015.
The CEO of AnchorRides.com said that background checks are performed on all of their employees and that if Stasio’s history reflects prior infractions that would have disqualified him from working with the service he believes it was an oversight. The company is planning on reissuing background checks to all of their employees to ensure the safety of their clients.
If you or someone you love is suspected of DUI, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.