Nathan Carman trial: Expert says boat was taking on water from holes drilled in hull by Carman before it sank
"He put four holes in the boat an inch or two from the water line,"
Carman is being sued by his insurance companies in federal court over his attempt to recoup
Feeney said water was likely coming in through the holes when he removed "trim tabs" from the boat's hull. Trim tabs assist in stability and control of the boat. The tabs are a key part of the case because Carman removed them and left holes that insurers say he didn't properly fill.
After his rescue,
During cross examination,
Feeney said the boat was about 45 years old and at one point in the 1980's was operated as a lobster boat. Feeney acknowledged he didn't know what had happened with the boat from when it was a lobster boat until
"Over 41 years people took the boat and did whatever they wanted to it isn't that correct," Anderson said. "Bulkheads were removed and added numerous times and it was never inspected or approved by an architect isn't that correct?"
Feeney said he didn't know if a boat architect had ever reviewed any of the changes to the boat.
Judge
Feeney answered "seaworthy when I did the inspection report" at time of sale and "not seaworthy after knowing what he did to this boat."
Feeney was the second witness on the second day of the federal trial in
The insurance companies denied the claim, arguing that Carman caused the boat to sink by removing the trim tabs and installing a new bilge pump himself before the ill-fated trip. Rather than pay the
On the first day of testimony
"I remember installing the trim tabs but the exact fittings I used and exactly how I installed them I can't recall," Woods said. "I have a very good memory so I'm stumped why I can't remember how I installed the trim tabs."
Carman has acknowledged drilling holes dangerously close to the water line to remove the tabs and filling them with an epoxy. He also has said he replaced a bilge pump before that trip. Carman told authorities that the boat started taking on water and sank quickly and that he managed to jump onto a life raft -- but that he didn't see what happened to his mother.
Carman didn't activate the emergency beacon on his boat, despite having opportunity to do so.
The witness list includes a tide expert who is expected to say that Carman couldn't have floated in the direction he claims if his boat sank where he says it did; a lobsterman who sails out of the same marina as Carman who was fishing in
Police in
His three aunts have accused
In June, a probate judge in
Chakalos was found in his
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