Alaska Boat Operator Faces Federal Charges For Driving Too Close To Floatplane

A video of the incident near Halibut Cove last summer drew attention online.

Jonathan Welsh

Friday, January 27, 2023 at 05:54 PM ET

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A boat comes uncomfortably close to a Beaver on floats taxiing in Alaska. [TikTok screengrab]

Key Takeaways:

An Alaskan restaurateur, Marian Beck, has been indicted for allegedly using a boat to harass a floatplane that was taxiing for takeoff last summer.
Beck faces charges of willfully attempting to interfere with the pilot and operating a boat in a grossly negligent manner that endangered life or property.
The incident, which was captured on video, has generated significant discussion within Alaska's general aviation community, where floatplanes are crucial for transportation.

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Parts of the general aviation community in Alaska are abuzz following the indictment of a restaurateur in Halibut Cove who is accused of using a boat to harass a floatplane that was taxiing in preparation for takeoff last summer.

A grand jury in the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska charged Marian Beck with willfully attempting to interfere with Eric Lee, a pilot who operates Alaska Ultimate Safaris in Homer. The grand jury also charged Beck with operating a boat “in a grossly negligent manner that endangered the life, limb, or property of a person.”