December 7, 2007

Cosco Busan pilot charged with misconduct

Captain John Cota, the pilot of the containership Cosco Busan when it hit San Francisco's Bay Bridge, has now been formally charged with misconduct.

The charges were formally filed yesterday by the California state state Board of Pilot Commissioners for the Bays of San Francisco, San Pablo and Suisun.

Cota had earlier had his license suspended on November 30 after a hearing by the pilot commissioners. That hearing was followed by an investigation that led to a six-page accusation setting out the case against Cota.

Cota now has 15 days to file a written response to the accusations and request a hearing.

Read the San Francisco Chronicle report HERE for details of the charges against Captain Cota.