Support for Richard J. Oba

Richard Oba needs your support!

In the fall of 2005 the Sydney Mae II was struck by a wave and capsized outside the jetty at Winchester Bay, Oregon.  That accident resulted in the deaths of three passengers. Captain Oba and one other passenger escaped with their lives. Captain Oba sincerely regrets the loss of life caused by this tragic accident and will regret it for the rest of his life. He also maintains that the tragedy was not the product of any deliberate or reckless conduct.

 

Now Captain Oba has been charged with an ancient Federal charge of Seaman’s Manslaughter that criminalizes a captain for an accident in which there are fatalities.   While this is a seldom used law it does carry a serious penalty and Captain Oba now faces the possibility of many years behind bars in a Federal prison.  This is an extremely difficult law to defend against because of its broad application and the defense team has accepted a plea bargain.  This course of action, it is believed, will result in the least amount of time that Captain will be incarcerated.

We have created this website so that the many people who have chartered out with Captain Oba over the years, or perhaps know him on a more personal level, might come forward with words of support that his defense team can present to the court.  The Judge will then learn what a fine human being Richard Oba is and what kind of Charter Boat Captain he was over the many years that he provided us with safe passage to and from the Pacific Ocean.  Our collective voice can make a difference.  If you would like to help please read the information in “How to Help”.

January 26, 2007

Dear Friends and Family of Captain Richard Oba,

On a snowy January 18, 2007 in the United States Courthouse in Portland, Captain Richard Oba entered a plea of guilty to three counts of seaman's manslaughter to mark another stage in the aftermath of a tragic nautical accident. Out of nowhere in the darkness in relatively calm seas, a huge wave sunk the Sydney Mae II, and Captain Richard Oba once again had to deal with circumstances beyond his control.

Because of the low threshold of proof required for a conviction under this 150-year-old law and the possible repercussions from attempting to prove himself innocent of all charges in a trial and still be found guilty, Captain Oba chose to plead guilty. 

No justice and nothing good can come of imprisoning Captain Oba for this accident.  Please write a letter to the judge and use the enclosed instructions from Richard's attorney as a guide.  Without a doubt, personal letters filled with your feelings and thoughts about Captain Richard Oba in the various ways you know him in your life will have an impact on the decision of Judge Haggerty.  If he can see what we all know to be true about Captain Oba, and reject the upcoming characterizations from the US Attorney, the Coast Guard and his detractors in the sentencing hearing, then Captain Oba may serve no prison time.

He is due to be sentenced on April 30, 2007 , 9:30 am in Judge Ancer Haggerty's Courtroom.

                                          United States District Court

                                          1307 U.S. Courthouse

                                          1000 SW Third Avenue

                                          Portland , OR  97204

He faces a maximum of 51 months to a minimum of zero. This will depend upon the judge and the sentence he hands down. Richard's family and close friends will be attending.  Whether you are a long time friend or a customer who took one fishing trip with Captain Oba, your personal letter will have an influence on the judge's final decision. Captain Oba's resume is enclosed for your reference.

And lastly, thank you again to everyone who has made a contribution towards Captain Oba's legal defense.  This is and has been an expensive legal battle and the final bill has yet to be paid.  If you have not for whatever reason been able to donate, please consider a donation. If you would like to make another donation, it would be greatly appreciated. Please make the check out to:  Stoel, Rives LLP.

Please mail to:    Per Ramfjord, Esq.

                           Stoel, Rives LLP

                           900 SW Fifth Ave, Suite 2600

                           Portland , OR 97204

                           Attn: Capt. Oba Legal Trust Fund

Sincerely yours,

Doug and Betty Yamamoto            David and Gail Yamamoto                   Carol & David MacDiarmid

--
B. Jo Yamamoto