Overview

• A federal grand jury in Key West indicted 52-year-old boat captain Daniel Gavin Couch on one count of seaman’s manslaughter over the May 30, 2022 parasailing accident that killed Supraja Alaparthi.
• Federal prosecutors allege Couch cut the parasail tether during severe wind conditions, causing Alaparthi and two children to be dragged into and slammed against the Old Seven Mile Bridge.
• Under the federal charge Couch faces a maximum of 10 years behind bars, while separate state manslaughter proceedings carry up to 15 years and return to court on September 9.
• The Alaparthi family and their attorneys accuse Couch and the parasailing company of flouting safety guidelines, ignoring court orders and failing to take responsibility, and they continue to press civil claims.
• Safety advocates and the family are urging mandatory parasailing operator training and stricter industry regulations in the wake of this and similar tour-boat incidents.