Coast Guard investigation of a sea-based alleged sexual assault by a US Merchant Marine Academy cadet on board a cargo ship

A cargo ship was sailing across the Atlantic Ocean when the captain summoned two young US Merchant Marine Academy cadets to his room and gave them each a drink.

Unbeknownst to them, their boss had spiked their drinks, according to a previously unreported complaint filed by the US Coast Guard. Once they were incapacitated, the captain raped one cadet and attempted to sexually assault the other, the Coast Guard alleges.

While the case is going on, Merrone continues to hold his merchant wanderer credentials. That leaves him free to sail — as he has been since the alleged incident occurred.

The Coast Guard said in a statement that it initiated its recent investigation as soon as it learned of the cadets’ allegations in 2021. It said the agency’s criminal investigations arm also conducted two separate probes, but that they are not being pursued for prosecution by the Department of Justice and are closed. The DOJ did not comment.

Previously, no data about reports of other sexual misconduct had been quantified by the academy. The students reported sexual and gender-based harassment, relationship violence and stalking.

While the Coast Guard’s complaint did not name the academy that Merrone’s two alleged victims attended, the agency told CNN they were students at the US Merchant Marine Academy.

As part of the reforms rolled out in 2021, the Maritime Administration, which oversees the academy, now requires any operators carrying students during the sea training program to meet a number of safety standards. Crew members and cadets are prohibited from entering each other’s rooms, for example, and operators must immediately report any incidents of sexual misconduct to the school if the ship is carrying an academy student, whether or not the student was involved. Students have also been given satellite devices while at sea, and a new amnesty policy states that victims, bystanders and witnesses won’t get in trouble if alcohol or drug use policies were violated at, or near, the time of an alleged assault.

Investigation of a Sexual Affectation Case in a USMMA Midshipman: Reporting the Case against a Florida Keys Pedestrian

CNN is not including certain information in the complaint that may inadvertently identify the alleged victims.

Merrone has been accused of rape before. Back in 2011, a woman arrived at a hospital bruised and beaten, saying he raped her in his apartment in the Florida Keys, according to criminal court records that included testimony from the nurse who examined her. Merrone was promptly arrested and sentenced by a jury to two years in prison for false imprisonment and battery, but his conviction was later overturned in appeals court. The Coast Guard told CNN it was unaware of the conviction until it had already been overturned two years later, so no action was taken against his credential.

“Critically, we understand that these are just the first steps in what must be an ongoing and urgent effort to improve safety for USMMA Midshipmen — at sea and on campus,” the report stated. Barriers prevent survivors and witnesses from reporting sexual assault and harassment.

Most of those students — around 80% — made so-called “restricted” reports, meaning they spoke confidentially to staff and students who worked as victim advocates. Making a restricted report allows the student to seek medical treatment and counseling without triggering an investigation.

It supports the findings from last year’s CNN investigation, which revealed that sexual assault was widespread but that students were afraid to come forward.

“There’s still this culture of fear that surrounds victims,” said Hicks about the number of restricted reports. It will be hard for people to come forward unless someone is brought down for their actions.

She eventually went to the Coast Guard with her allegations, but she was absent from the school’s figures because she never felt comfortable reporting to academy officials.

There have been five reports of sexual assaults in the school year so far this year, compared to six during the entire school year of 2021.

The academy said in its report that it has been working to strengthen its sexual assault prevention program and to better communicate it’s policies.

Comment on “Radiative Disruption in the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy” [Journal of Maritime and Yachting Studies, Volterra, 4th edition]

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