The Coast Guard says in court papers that it bears no responsibility for the capsizing of a tour boat that killed 20 elderly tourists on Lake George last year.
The Coast Guard denied that it inspected, certified or regulated the Ethan Allen tour boat.
The Coast Guard does stability tests for some vessels, but federal lawyers said the agency did not do any of those for the tour boat that capsized on Lake George last October 2nd.
The agency’s court brief alleges that the damages and losses were the fault of cross-defendants.
Other defendants in the civil suit were boat operator Shoreline Cruises, Captain Richard Paris, Canadian tour operator Shoreline Tours and the Lake George Steamboat Company.
The 40-foot Ethan Allen carried 47 passengers and the captain on the calm, sunny Sunday when it suddenly tipped over.
The National Transportation Safety Board has not yet issued its final report.