CT - John Chakalos, 87, Windsor, 20 December 2013 *Grandson arrested in 2022, found dead in 2023*

[YESorNO]

Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 8h8 hours ago
Day 6 in the Nathan Carman trial, as he tries to collect on the $85,000 insurance policy on his boat


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 8h8 hours ago
Carman was rescued off the shore of Mass in September 2016 after his boat, Chicken Pox, sank. His mother, Linda, was also on the boat but hasn't been seen since


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 8h8 hours ago
His insurance company, Boat US, rejected his claim, saying he 1) made alterations that made the boat unseaworthy and 2) never disclosed that information to the company


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 8h8 hours ago
Carman is scheduled to take the stand this morning. Plaintiffs hoped to question him yesterday afternoon, but other witnesses took too long.

Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 8h8 hours ago
But first, Carman's lawyer, David Anderson, says Boat US executives have consistently given contradicting statements, evidence about Carman's actual insurance policy.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 8h8 hours ago
Anderson challenging the validity of insurance policy entered as evidence. Says an email meant to authenticate the policy as the one issued to Carman contradicts the document entered as evidence


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 8h8 hours ago
Anderson: Document contains more pages that listed in email. Plaintiffs attorney (David Farrell): Email says 15 "pages", some with printing on front and back. Judge withhholds ruling


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 8h8 hours ago
Anderson has tried to challenge authenticity of several pieces of evidence

 

[YESorNO]

Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV 8h8 hours ago
HAPPENING SOON: Nathan Carman set to take the stand in his civil trial this morning. Attorneys for the insurance companies told me they plan to question him for *at least* 2 hours. Catch up on the story here: https://www.wpri.com/news/local-news/south-county/nathan-carman-expected-to-testify-in-insurance-trial/ …


Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV 8h8 hours ago
Attorneys for the insurance companies call Nathan Carman to the stand. He appears emotionless as he approaches the bench @wpri12


Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV 8h8 hours ago
Judge informs plaintiffs they have 4.5 hours remaining, defendants with 5 hours remaining in the trial. He is limiting testimony to 15 hours per side @wpri12


Robert Goulston‏Verified account @rgoulston 8h8 hours ago
Nathan Carman is now on the stand answering questions about where he and his mother were fishing before he says the boat suddenly sank. Carman is standing in front of large charts that he marked after being rescued to show the Coast Guard his whereabouts that day.


Nick Rondinone‏ @nickrondinone 8h8 hours ago
There are three charts, one off Long Island, one of Point Judith, and another of the area around Block Island. Those three charts were marked by Nathan Carman during some point of examination.


Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV 8h8 hours ago
Plaintiffs asking Carman about his boat “Chicken Pox”. Carman confirms it was first registered in New Hampshire, then Rhode Island @wpri12

Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV 8h8 hours ago
Carman is examining U.S. Coast Guard maps he apparently marked during his ‘entry under oath’ for the insurance companies. Maps entered into evidence despite objection from defense @wpri12


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 8h8 hours ago
Ferrell begins questioning with when Carman was rescued. Couple of quick timelines questions, then to purchase of the boat


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 8h8 hours ago
Farrell's questioning so far laying down the foundation to enter maps as evidence, use in questioning.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 8h8 hours ago
In opening arguments, Farrell said part of plaintiff's case will be to question Carman's account of Chicken Pox sinking. This includes questions about his path; time at sea.

 

[YESorNO]

Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV 8h8 hours ago
Attorneys begin questioning Carman on his insurance policy @wpri12


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 8h8 hours ago
Now questioning Carmen about his insurance policy, counter claim


Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV 8h8 hours ago
Policy entered into evidence. Shows Carman signed off on the policy on Feb. 19, 2016 — approx. 7 months before his boat sank @wpri12


Alexandra Leslie‏Verified account @AlexandraLeslie 8h8 hours ago
Plaintiff asked if Nathan increased the insurance policy on the boat In March. Carman was unsure of the exact date, but agreed he increased it.


Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV 8h8 hours ago
Carman admits to increasing insurance policy coverage to $85,000 in March 2016 after installing GPS, auto pilot system, life raft onboard “Chicken Pox” @wpri12


Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV 8h8 hours ago
Plaintiffs questioning Carman on times he was reimbursed through insurance policy, once for a tow when he overheated the engine (spring 2016). After this instance, he installed a rebuilt engine on his boat to replace the one that was destroyed @wpri12


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 8h8 hours ago
Policy includes language that it's "subject to the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the policy(ies) in current use by the company."


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 8h8 hours ago
Carman said he never gave that language "much thought." Says he never got the policy in the mail, but admits also has an issue collecting and sorting mail


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 8h8 hours ago
Carman says house also was under construction. Roof was off the house at one point, late summer or fall 2015. Admits rain water damaged some mail, but says this was before he purchased the boat


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 8h8 hours ago
Carman admits doesn't read all mail, but says he stays up on important documents.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 8h8 hours ago
Carman says boat overheated less than a minute of him revving engine to top speed.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 8h8 hours ago
This was sometime around April 2016, he had his engine rebuilt after this.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 8h8 hours ago
Correction: provided with a different rebuilt engine to replace the one that was blown out

 

[YESorNO]

Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 8h8 hours ago
Letter in September 2016, after Carman didn't deposite an $11,000 check for the engine. Carman says he probably had the check in with his other mail, decided it would be easier to get a second check.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 8h8 hours ago
Carman has claimed he never got the policy, which is one the reasons Farrell is questioning him about getting documents from Boat US in the mail


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 8h8 hours ago
Carman worked for his grandfather, a real estate developer, as a senior project manager when he graduated high school. Then worked for Fed Ex, and then at a private school washing dishes.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 8h8 hours ago
Farrell comparing Carman's handling of warranty for replacement motor with his response to Boat US. Carman asked questioned about warranty to make sure he understood terms, but never did despite saying confused about insurance policy language


Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV 8h8 hours ago
Carman testifies he worked with his grandfather for some months after he graduated high school and “before he [grandfather] passed”. Compared it to an internship. Carman’s aunts accuse him of murdering his grandfather @wpri12


Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV 8h8 hours ago
Carman’s grandfather was murdered in CT in 2013. While he’s considered a person of interest in the case, he’s never been charged @wpri12


Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV 8h8 hours ago
Carman now answering questions about modifications he made to boat “Chicken Pox”. Attorney shows him an electric saw Carman confirms he used to remove two forward bulkheads onboard @wpri12


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 8h8 hours ago
Now asking Carman about his removal of the bulkhead. Bulkhead plays several roles on the boat, including:
1) supporting integrity of the boat
2) blocking water, creating air pockets and improving bouyancy if there's a leak



Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV 8h8 hours ago
Bulkheads can increase the structural rigidity of a boat, create watertight compartments in case of a hull breach/leak. Carman says he removed the bulkheads to create space to store his fishing rods @wpri12

Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 8h8 hours ago
Carman says he replaced the bilge pump days before boat sank. Says pump needed to be replace because of bad work repairman did.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 8h8 hours ago
Carman claimed that September 2016 work was the first time he replaced the bilge pump. Farrell trying to contradict that, bringing up evidence from earlier in the trial to try and show Carman replaced the bilge pump at least one other time.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 8h8 hours ago
Carman admits the September 17, 2016 bilge pump (day before sinking) was the second time he replaced the pump. Bilge pump removes water from the boat. Engine repairman says he notified Carman multiple times that bilge pump kept blowing fuse.



Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV 8h8 hours ago
Carman admits he replaced pump on Sept. 16, 2016 — the day before his boat sank. He did not ask for help at the marina installing new pump, said it was not necessary @wpri12


Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV 8h8 hours ago
Attorneys showing evidence photos of bilge pumps. Carman insists he only remembers replacing the pump once, not twice, says, “I’m not trying to be difficult but I am trying to stick with my memory” @wpri12


Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV 7h7 hours ago
Attorneys questioning if Carman ever tested the bilge pumps (they flush water off the boat). Accuse him of not testing them before taking the boat out on the water in Sept. 2016, despite having to replace pump twice in 6 months @wpri12


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 8h8 hours ago
Farrell: "You ever tested" bilge pump to make sure it worked "to see if it sucked water and pumped it overboard." "You never did, you just never tested."



Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV 7h7 hours ago
Carman discussing his removal of 4 “trim tabs” from boat. Removal left holes close to the water line that Carman filled w/ putty. Carman admits he didn’t do much research, did not consult w/ anyone, says he removed them b/c he thought it’d make boat more fuel-efficient @wpri12


Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV 7h7 hours ago
“I know that I did not enlarge the holes”, Carman says while discussing size of holes left after he removed the trim tabs @wpri12


Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV 7h7 hours ago
Carman bought putty and a fiberglass repair kit. Admits he only filled the hole with putty, did not use fiberglass or resin from the kit to seal the hole. Says he tried to use resin but it just poured out @wpri12


Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV 6h6 hours ago
Carman says he did not “bore holes” into his boat, only used an electric saw to roughen up the edges of the existing hole to create a fresh surface for repair materials to adhere to @wpri12


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 7h7 hours ago
Farrell brings up multiple work orders where Carman asks for cutout of the boat's core. Carman says he doesn't remember if he received one, doesn't know where the core is. Carman's lawyer, Anderson, has claimed the boat was in poor shape.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 7h7 hours ago
Anderson has noted the boat was a "plug": the boat used to form the mold to manufacture other boats. Anderson has said these plugs are often made from scraps. Other witnesses have contradicted Anderson's characterization, and said Chicken Box was structurally sound.

 

[YESorNO]

Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 7h7 hours ago
Side note as we wait for trail to resume after mid morning break:
Each side has a TOTAL of 15 hours to present its case.
Plaintiffs started the day with just 270 minutes (3.5 hours) left.
Defense had 300 minutes (5 hours).
That time includes objections, motions, opening/closing


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 7h7 hours ago
Limited time left for each side means both sides likely will rest their case this week. This will then go to the judge (not a jury trial) for decision.

 

[YESorNO]

Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 7h7 hours ago
Farrell now questioning Carman about removing trim tabs from the back of the boat. Recalls Carman previously admitted doing little research on removing trim tabs, didn't consult with any experts.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 7h7 hours ago
Carman says he took off trim tabs off because he felt they caused drag, fuel efficiency.
Says boat had a harm time getting up to full speed.
Farrell: Do you have any data.
Carman: "Not hard data"


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 7h7 hours ago
Farrell doing a demonstration:
Judge: I don't want you to do that again
Farrell: I'm in good shape
Judge: I'm not so sure


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 7h7 hours ago
Questioning Carman on why he kept the boat in the water to remove the trim tabs, which are partially below water level. Carman used a drill and hammer to remove. Process resulted in him drilling holes


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 7h7 hours ago
Drilling holes into the boat. Carman says holes were slightly larger than a quarter. Previously said they were half-dollar sized, but now saying he picked the wrong coin and that it was only silver dollar sized. "I know that I did not enlarge the holes"


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 7h7 hours ago
Farrell pointing out Carman said multiple times in the past that holes were half-dollar sized. Carman also estimates holes 3/4-inch thick, went through the transon. Carman says he wasn't paying attention to thickness.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 7h7 hours ago
Farrell reading from epoxy stick similar to the one Carman used: Good for repairs to wood, metal, plastic surfaces. Carman never put a backing/surface to cover the hole. Carman filled the holes with epoxy as patch, was some left over from patching.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 7h7 hours ago
Farrell pressing Carman on why he had exact measurements in previous sworn statements, now can't remember during testimony. Carman says those were estimates.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 7h7 hours ago
Farrell points out Carman could have used a fiber glass kit (that he purchased) to cover hole, then combination of resin and epoxy to patch the hole.

 

[YESorNO]

Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV 7h7 hours ago
Attorney pressing Carman to indicate where he thinks the boat sank. In previous interviews under oath, Carman marked a map where he thinks the boat sank. Today, he says he does not know where exactly it happened. The boat has never been found @wpri12


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 6h6 hours ago
Farrell now questioning Carman's account of when and where he sank. He says Carman's claim of sinking site inconsistent with his account of his trip.


Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV 6h6 hours ago
Attorney breaks line of questioning to ask Carman if he’s a genius. Carman goes on to say in previous depositions, he showed a resume that said he was a genius with an IQ of 140. He says his mother told him that was based on tests he took as a child @wpri12


Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV 6h6 hours ago
During lunch recess, woman who says she’s Carman’s friend spoke to the media. I asked if she thinks he should collect the $85k insurance claim: “Yes— I believe when he purchased the boat that it was already altered.” @wpri12

(video clip: Julianne Lima on Twitter )


Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV 5h5 hours ago
HAPPENING NOW: Nathan Carman back on the stand in his civil trial. Has already testified for nearly 3 hours today. Attorneys are questioning his recollection of when and where his boat sank 3 years ago. Catch up here: https://www.wpri.com/news/local-news/south-county/carman-takes-stand-in-boat-insurance-trial/ …


Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV 5h5 hours ago
Julianne Lima Retweeted Julianne Lima

Attorney questioning Carman about this description he provided insurance company about boat sinking, points out he failed to include info on bulkhead removal, trim tab removal, and bilge pump replacement. Carman says he didn’t think it was responsive to include that info @wpri12

---Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV
Here’s the description of the sinking that Carman gave to the insurance company as part of his claim. Says “the boat sank suddenly” and “I did not see my mom after the boat sank” @wpri12

Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 5h5 hours ago
Farrell now questioning Carman about his account of the actual sinking.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 5h5 hours ago
Carman maintains that the boat sank in 3-5 minutes. He also says he went to get some emergency supplies, and then suddenly he couldn't see his mother anymore


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 5h5 hours ago
Farrell questioning why his mother, Linda Carman, never said anything the entire time the boat was thinking. "She didn't any thing to you when the boat sank, she didn't scream?" Carman says no


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 5h5 hours ago
Carman says the "boat just dropped out" as he was walking forward. Remembers seeing the roof of the pilot house sink


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 5h5 hours ago
Farrell: Was your mother even on board at that time?
Carman: Yes.
Farrell: Could she talk?
Farrell: Yes.


Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV 5h5 hours ago
Carman admits he did not use an emergency radio onboard when the boat was sinking. It would’ve let the Coast Guard know he was in distress. “I thought we were outside the radio range...” @wpri12


Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV 5h5 hours ago
“I have an extremely strong aversion to pressing a button knowing it will bring helicopters unless I know we are sinking” — Carman on why he didn’t radio for help the day his boat sank. Said it wasn’t unusual to have water in the bilge @wpri12


Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV 5h5 hours ago
“I remember I was walking forward on the deck, it started to feel spongey when I put my foot down... the boat just dropped out. Next thing I know I was in the water. I remember seeing the roof of the pilot house slip away.” Carman says boat sank in 3-5 min. @wpri12

 

[YESorNO]

Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 5h5 hours ago
Carman says he was in the life raft for a week, claims he was able to change into dry clothes. Clothes were "fast drying." So he got wet at times but not saturated.


Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV 5h5 hours ago
Carman says he survived alone on a life raft for a week: “Yes I got wet at times, but I wasn’t saturated. Yes I got cold, but I wasn’t hypothermic.” @wpri12



Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 5h5 hours ago
Carman says he had 30 days of food. Carman says it was two weeks worth of food for two people


Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV 5h5 hours ago
Photos of Carman’s rescue being entered into evidence. First shows Carman waving a red flag from the life raft, second shows him holding a flotation device, third shows him walking up ladder to the ship that rescued him @wpri12


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 5h5 hours ago
Carman being cross-examined by his lawyer, David Anderson.


Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV 5h5 hours ago
Attorneys for the insurance companies have no further questions. Carmen’s own defense attorney David Anderson will now begin his questioning @wpri12


Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV 5h5 hours ago
Cross-examination begins. Carman answering questions about the 3 fuel tanks onboard the “Chicken Pox” @wpri12


Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV 5h5 hours ago
Carman says all 3 fuel tanks were full when he and his mother left for their fishing trip, about 340 gallons of fuel onboard. Carman unsure how much fuel was left when the Chicken Pox sank @wpri12


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 5h5 hours ago
Carman says he shut the engine, was just drifting for a little bit less than an hour before it sank.


Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV 4h4 hours ago
Carman answering lots of questions about technology onboard the “Chicken Pox”. Answering questions about GPS, speedometer-like device, auto-pilot tech @wpri12


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 4h4 hours ago
Carman used cell phone to call 911 when his engine blew near point Judith. Was "absolutely certain" he was outside range of cell phone when his boat sank.


Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV 4h4 hours ago
Carman says he had never purchased or written on a paper chart/map “out of the context of this case”. Earlier, Carman had struggled to pinpoint where on the map his boat sank @wpri12


Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV 4h4 hours ago
Carman says there is no way to test a bilge pump, and he had no idea his wasn’t working the day his boat sank. He previously testified that he replaced it the day before the fateful voyage @wpri12


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 4h4 hours ago
Carman says he had no idea bilge pump wasn't working. Says it was "impossible" to test the type of bilge pump he had.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 3h3 hours ago
After date of replacing engine, Carman says only change that would significantly affect performance would be removing trim tabs. Admits he can't remember when he removed bulkheads, relative to engine replacement. Agrees that is a signifcant change.


Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV 3h3 hours ago
Carman identifies various parts of the boat in several photos. Says the life raft was self-launching and would automatically deploy if the case was submerged in water @wpri12


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 3h3 hours ago
Carman says he never liked the name Chicken Pox, the name Brian Woods gave it when he rebuilt it and sold it to Carman. Carman says his mother embraced the name and used it on registration form. He just called it "my boat"


Julianne Lima‏Verified account @JulianneLimaTV 3h3 hours ago
Court breaks for the day with Carman still on the stand for cross-examination. Judge says trial will end tomorrow. Plaintiffs have 2 hours left, defense has 2 hours and 20 minutes left @wpri12


Michelle San Miguel‏ @NBC10_Michelle 54m54 minutes ago
Nathan Carman and his attorney leave federal court after Nathan spent the day testifying. He will be back on the stand tomorrow morning. @NBC10

(video clip: Michelle San Miguel on Twitter )


Amanda Pitts‏ @APittsABC6 2h2 hours ago
Nathan Carman and his attorney leave court for the day after over 6 hours of testimony. Carman will be back on the stand tomorrow morning. @ABC6

(video clip: Amanda Pitts on Twitter )

 

[YESorNO]

Nathan Carman testifies about modification he made to boat

August 22, 2019

---

Nathan Carman describes sinking of fishing boat

Aug 22, 2019

"PROVIDENCE — Nathan Carman testified Thursday about the sinking of his 31-foot boat in September 2016 in prime fishing grounds about 70 miles southwest of Block Island.

He and his mother, Linda Carman, were tuna fishing in Block Canyon when the motor began “making a funny sound,” Carman, 26, of Vernon, Vermont, said. He lifted the hatch, only to find the bilge pump submerged in water. He turned the engine off, and asked his mother to pull in the lines.

“That’s the last time you saw your mother,” David J. Farrell, lawyer for the boat’s insurers, said.

“It’s the last time I said anything to her or she said anything to me,” Carman said.

Farrell asked if, perhaps, the reason he couldn’t hear her was because she couldn’t talk, or maybe she wasn’t even on board.

“I’ve told you she was on board,” Carman said...."

Nathan Carman describes sinking of fishing boat

 

[Kavya01]

Just......
I have no words for that person. He takes the cake on many levels, IMHO.

Thank you YESorNo from gathering all the tweets here!

edit: for, even

 

[YESorNO]

Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 1h1 hour ago
Nathan Carman is back on the stand for what is expected to be the last day in the trial over the insurance policy for his sunken boat. Today is day 7 in Providence Federal Court


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 1h1 hour ago
Each side was given 15 hours to make their case. Plaintiffs now have 2 hours, Carman and his lawyer 2.5 hours. Even with court starting an hour late today, time will expire for both sides by this afternoon.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 1h1 hour ago
Carman was rescued more than 100 miles off the shore of Massachusetts in September 2016. He says his boat sank 7 days earlier after departing from Point Judith in Rhode Island.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 1h1 hour ago
Carman's mother, Linda Carman, was also on the boat, but hasn't been seen since.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 1h1 hour ago
Boat US rejected Carman's claim, saying he
1) Made changes that rendered the boat unseaworthy and
2) He never disclosed those changes to the insurance company, in violation of the terms of his policy.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 1h1 hour ago
Plaintiffs' attorneys have also questioned Carman's account of events, including:
1) where his boat, Chicken Pox, sank
2) His timeline of when it sank/how long he was at sea

Kait Walsh‏Verified account @KaitLouiseWalsh 1h1 hour ago
Nathan Carman arrives at Federal Court for what’s expected to be the final day of testimony in his civil trial. @wpri12

( video clip: Kait Walsh on Twitter )


Robert Goulston‏Verified account @rgoulston 50m50 minutes ago
These are photos of Nathan Carman taken by the crew on a ship that rescued him after he says his boat sank and his mother was lost at sea. He told the Coast Guard he was on the life raft for a full week.

 

[YESorNO]

Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 1h1 hour ago
Day 7 begins with Carman resuming cross examination from his lawyer, David Anderson. Carman was called as a witness by attorneys for Boat US.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 1h1 hour ago
Carman says he assumed Boat US was a membership organization. "I thought they were on my side"


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 1h1 hour ago
Says that when he purchased insurance from Boat US, he thought company "was basically a charity," didn't know it was owned by an insurance company. Anderson has accused Boat US of not being honest, withholding information with Carman.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 1h1 hour ago
Anderson: "If you were aware" Boat US and insurance company were "working hand in glove," would that would change your decision. Carman: yes


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 1h1 hour ago
Carman: "I'm always mindful of how this company will be on my side and how they are incentivized."


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 1h1 hour ago
Carman says he reviewed Boat US website for terms and conditions of policies. Says he tries "to be quite thorough about it."


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 1h1 hour ago
Carman says he didn't think he had to worry about exclusions for the big stuff, "because if the boat sank, I was covered -- period."
Says his grandfather tought him to be "mindful" of exclusions.

 

[YESorNO]

Amanda Pitts‏ @APittsABC6 51m51 minutes ago
We’ve picked back up from yesterday with Carman’s attorney David Anderson continuing his questioning. Judge McConnell encourages him to move along as he has more witnesses to call up to the stand. Questioning has been very technical from Anderson throughout this trial. @ABC6


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 55m55 minutes ago
Back to the policy. Carman says he "thoroughly reviewed" website, but couldn't find terms. Says he couldn't do so because he wasn't a member yet.
Says he eventually become a member, but at that point never reviewed the policy. Preferred paper copies over digital.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 56m56 minutes ago
Carman says he never received a written copy of the policy.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 55m55 minutes ago
Judge just reminded Anderson he now has less than 2 hours left. Told Anderson he's free to use those hours as he sees fit, but recommended he move to a different line of questioning.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 54m54 minutes ago
Prior to buying Chicken Box, Carman jointly owned a 22-foot boat with his mother. Says they fished, mostly near shore. Carman says they were "limited" by size of boat when they wanted to go off shore


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 54m54 minutes ago
Carman says he wanted to go offshore for tuna fishing, also wanted independence. So he purchased Chicken Pox from Brian Woods in December 2015.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 46m46 minutes ago
Carman says prior to departure on last voyage in September 2016, he:
1) Replaced 2 bilge pumps
2) replaced a filter for one of the pumps
3) Hadn't tested pump, but knew it worked Also says he believed pumps were working properly.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 46m46 minutes ago
After Carman removed trim tabs, there were four holes on the back of the boat. He says he filled them with putty that he believed were appropriate for use below water line. Advertised as being "as strong as steel."


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 45m45 minutes ago
He says he never saw water coming in through the area of the holes.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 45m45 minutes ago
Judge asks Carman to explain how he removed trim tabs. Carman says he leaned over the back of the boat (it was docked, in the water at the time).


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 44m44 minutes ago
Carman says he used drill to remove screws, which didn't go all the way through the boat.
Found actuator heads were still stuck to the boat. He used a flat head screw driver to pry heads from the boat.
He says only black nylon tubing, no piping, behind the heads.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 42m42 minutes ago
He says he never had to do anything to the boat to increase the size of any of the holes (that were already there) in the back of the boat. He only had to roughen up the edges of the holes to hold putty.
"What I know is I did not enlarge the size of the hole."


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 42m42 minutes ago
Carman says epoxy putty stick was larger than the hole, and he had to force the putty into the hole.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 41m41 minutes ago
Witnesses for the plaintiff have accused Carman of making the holes bigger when he removed the trim tabs from the boat. Plaintiffs also say
1) There was no need to remove the trim tabs
2) Using epoxy putty, with no backing, was not appropriate fix for holes below water level

 

[YESorNO]

Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 41m41 minutes ago
Carman estimates he talked with Coast Guard for at least 2 hours, answered all their questions to the best of his knowledge.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 40m40 minutes ago
Carman never asked for his attorney at the time (not Anderson yet) to be present when he talked with Coast Guard in Boston.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 34m34 minutes ago
Carman not testifying about life raft. Essentially was an inflatable mattress with walls, tent-like water proof roof.
He says he kept a door open when conditions were good so he could see if any boats were out. Kept it closed when conditions were poor.


Amanda Pitts‏ @APittsABC6 34m34 minutes ago
Carman now speaking about his rescue and the life raft he says he floated on for a week before being rescued by a Chinese vessel. @ABC6


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 34m34 minutes ago
Raft had a water maker, was very difficult to use.
Converted salt water into usable water.


Amanda Pitts‏ @APittsABC6 34m34 minutes ago
Judge says he hasn’t heard Carman describe the search for his mother throughout this testimony. “Did you search for your mother?” “Yes,” Carman answers. @ABC6


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 33m33 minutes ago
Judge: Did you search for your mother.
Carman: yes
Judge: Tell me how


Amanda Pitts‏ @APittsABC6 33m33 minutes ago
Carman says he didn’t hear his mom yell out. “I don’t know if she got tangled in the fishing lines or something. She was a good swimmer” @ABC6


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 33m33 minutes ago
Carman says he didn't know boat was sinking right away. He says he never heard his mother "I don't know if she hit her had," or if she got tangled in a tuna rod.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 33m33 minutes ago
Carman says that when he was in the water, he was with a package of emergency supplies. When he got his barings (estimates a minute) he didn't see he at the surface. He then called out for her.


Amanda Pitts‏ @APittsABC6 34m34 minutes ago
Carman says he was holding on to safety gear, looked around and did not see his mom on the surface. Says he doesn’t remember yelling out to her then, but did once on the life raft. “There was a swell, but I think I would have been able to see her.” @ABC6


Amanda Pitts‏ @APittsABC6 32m32 minutes ago
Judge asks Carman if he dived into water to search for his mother. “No, I did not.” Linda Carman was never found and is presumed dead. @ABC6


Amanda Pitts‏ @APittsABC6 30m30 minutes ago
Carman said he was the one who knew what to do on board, his mom was just a passenger. Said he saw her as “part of the problem rather than the solution.” Carman says he knew his mother would panic rather than help the problem (water in the bilge) @ABC6


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 32m32 minutes ago
Carman says his mother would have gotten in the way of trying to fix the problem, better to give her a task like bringing in the fishing lines.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 30m30 minutes ago
Carman says he recognized they were in "some degree of perrill," perhaps should have made a call indicating an issue. Calls it a "pan pan pan call," which is a degree less than "mayday" emergency call."


Robert Goulston‏Verified account @rgoulston 28m28 minutes ago
Judge asks Carman to explain how he looked for his mother. Carman says he did not hear her yell out. Didn’t know if she hit head or got tangled in lines. He did not yell out for her until he got into raft. Then he stood on raft yelling Mom, mom. Pausing to hear if she called back


Robert Goulston‏Verified account @rgoulston 29m29 minutes ago
Judge asks if Carman ever dove under water to see if he could see her below the surface of the water. Carman said he did dive down under water.

Robert Goulston‏Verified account @rgoulston 27m27 minutes ago
Carman says the water conditions that day were relatively flat but there were swells.

 

[YESorNO]

Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 31m31 minutes ago
Now back to the bulkheads, which Carman removed.
Carman says bulkheads, at the front of the boat under the deck, were not water tight.
He says there was no seal between bulkheads and fishbox.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 30m30 minutes ago
Carman: "I certainly do not believe" that removing bulkheads made the boat less seaworthy. Says he wouldn't have removed them if he believed removal would make boat less safe.
He says boat passed Coast Guard inspection after removals.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 30m30 minutes ago
Second Coast Guard inspection was within a month of sinking


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 29m29 minutes ago
Carman says he believed boat was safe for tuna fishing, even after removal of bulkheads.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 26m26 minutes ago
Anderson says he has now exceeded "my self-imposed time limit" on questioning Carman. He has now used more than an hour (started with 2 hours, 20 minutes left). But he still wants to ask Carman about his last voyage on Chicken Pox


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 24m24 minutes ago
Carman says he planned to go out on a Friday with his mom, but needed couldn't get a part needed for a repair. They delayed plans until Saturday. He replaced non-working bilge pump during the day on that Saturday before going out fishing with his mom


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 24m24 minutes ago
Says he also decided he had time to remove the trim tabs, which he suddenly had time to do.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 22m22 minutes ago
Trim tabs help a boat get leverage so engine can operate more efficiently. But Carman says trim tabs made his boat too "bow heavy," front end not getting up as much as it should have.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 22m22 minutes ago
Carman says another captain suggested removing trim tabs. Says they can get in the way when fishing for tuna, other big fish. When tuna swim under the boat, fishing lines can get tangled around trim tabs, Carman says.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 20m20 minutes ago
Carman says he used epoxy putty accoring to instructions and fully filled four holes left by removal of trim tabs.
Carman also again says trim tab marketing indicated it was "hard as steel."

 

[YESorNO]

Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 20m20 minutes ago
Carman says he removed trim tabs early afternoon on Saturday. Packaging said only needed an hour for epoxy putty to harden. Carman says he and his mom departed around 11 pm that night.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 14m14 minutes ago
Carman says he has talking days-long trips with his mom to go deep sea fishing: tuna, mahi-mahi


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 13m13 minutes ago
Sorry, should say *taken long fishing trips, not talking


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 11m11 minutes ago
Anderson trying to move things along, but still only part way through Carman's account. Seems to be getting frustrated with his client's long answers.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 4m4 minutes ago
Anderson asks Carman to describe his week in the life raft. Carman says he could best be benefit to mom by focusing on getting rescued so he could get people to find her


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 3m3 minutes ago
"The only way I could be a benefit to my mom after nightfall on the first day was to take care of myself" so he could communicate with rescuers.


Amanda Pitts‏ @APittsABC6 2m2 minutes ago
Carman says on the stand, “The only way I could be of benefit to my mom was to take care of myself” after the boat sank, so that rescuers could be told “everything I know” about what happened @ABC6


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 3m3 minutes ago
Carman says he had adequate food attached to the raft, more food packed in safety kit. Also adequate water from his water converter


Amanda Pitts‏ @APittsABC6 2m2 minutes ago
Carman claims to have called out for his mother until nightfall, then he thought it was best to get rest and hope to be rescued. @ABC6


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 1m1 minute ago
Carman says some days were "downright hot." Other days were cold, but he had mylar sleeping bag and blankets.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 45s46 seconds ago
Carman says water was "bath-tub warm," not cold, when he swam from his raft to the freighter that rescued him. Also says he was able to stand up on the raft


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 19s20 seconds ago
In opening arguments, plaintiffs questioned whether Carman would be strong enough to swim to, get on boat under his own power after week at sea. They could still call a witness to testify as such.


Robert Goulston‏Verified account @rgoulston 56s57 seconds ago
Carman describes life raft having full tent. He and food and water in emergency kits. Carman says air temp was about 60-70 over the 7 days he was in raft. Conditions inside raft were dry to damp. He used sponge to absorb moisture and ring out.


Amanda Pitts‏ @APittsABC6 3m3 minutes ago
Anderson asks Carman if he has any more relevant information to share on the stand before he finishes his questioning. Carman says no. Judge calls a lunch break. @ABC6


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 3m3 minutes ago
Anderson ends questioning of Carman, using most of the 2 hours, 20 minutes he had left when the day started.

 

[YESorNO]

Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 2h2 hours ago
Afternoon session begins with plaintiffs starting re-direct of Carman.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 2h2 hours ago
Starts by asking Carman about purchase at Middletown, Rhode Island on the Sept. 17, 2016. The day the boat sank
Carman purchased tether, safety harness, safety vest.


Amanda Pitts‏ @APittsABC6 2h2 hours ago
We’re back — #NathanCarman’s receipt from West Marine in Middletown is being shown. Carman went there before he left on the fishing trip with his mother. Bought 2 tethers and 2 harnesses. Only one harness doubled as a life preserver. @ABC6


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 2h2 hours ago
Carman also went "at least twice" to a marine story in Narragansset.


Amanda Pitts‏ @APittsABC6 2h2 hours ago
Putty stick and fiberglass repair kit not seen on any of Carman’s West Marine receipts. He’s said throughout this trial that he used those items to fix his boat. These receipts were found by attorney for insurance companies, not submitted by Carman or his attorney @ABC6


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 2h2 hours ago
Plaintiff attorney, David Farrell, asking why invoice never produced during discovery.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 2h2 hours ago
Now, Farrell questioning Carman about his account of conditions while on the life raft. Carman says he was on the life raft for seven days.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 2h2 hours ago
Farrell reading from Vermont deposition when Carman says he was frequently cold, wet while on the life raft. Said he was uncomfortably cold at periods of time. Never said he was hot.
Carman: They asked me if I was cold, so I was describing the account to which I was cold


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 2h2 hours ago
Earlier today, Carman described time as being very hot on some days, cooler on others. But blankets, sleeping bag comfortable at times.


Amanda Pitts‏ @APittsABC6 2h2 hours ago
Attorney for insurance companies finishes up his questioning by asking Carman if he’s seen the movie “Cast Away”. Carman responds that he hasn’t. With that, Carman is done with his testimony. @ABC6


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 2h2 hours ago
Carman estimates the ship that rescued him was 30 yards away when he yelled, got their attention.

End of questioning for Carman.

 

[YESorNO]

Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 2h2 hours ago
Plaintiffs want to call N. Stuart Harris, doctor who would testify whether Carman could survive for seven days through conditions as described.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 2h2 hours ago
Judge says he doesn't see Harris' testimony as relevant, but plaintiffs wanted to call anyway. Plaintiffs enter Harris as "wilderness doctor"


Amanda Pitts‏ @APittsABC6 2h2 hours ago
Dr. Norman Harris takes the stand. He’s a wilderness doctor skilled in helping patients with hypothermia. He was asked by insurance companies to look at Carman’s case. @ABC6


Amanda Pitts‏ @APittsABC6 2h2 hours ago
His testimony will be about the conditions that Carman went through at sea, and that it’s unlikely that he would have survived for a whole week. Judge says this witness testimony won’t play a factor in his decision on the insurance money. @ABC6


Amanda Pitts‏ @APittsABC6 2h2 hours ago
Dr. Harris says Carman showed zero inability to move. If he had hypothermia, he wouldn’t have been able to move with ease. No sign of gross or fine motor skill issues following his rescue. @ABC6


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 2h2 hours ago
Harris says that, based on variables in record, says Carman's condition at risk "in no way consistent with even minimal hypothermia


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 2h2 hours ago
Harris says that if Carman were at sea for 7 days under the conditions he describes, he would be "extremely hypothermic" or even dead. Only need 3-degree difference in core body temp to see a significant difference,


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 2h2 hours ago
"If you're anywhere near that range, you are profoundly" impaired physicall, no way you could just "will through it."

Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 2h2 hours ago
Now going through pictures captured by crew members of Orient Lucky when they rescued him.
Picture of Carman standing on raft: "He's doing pretty well. That's pretty remarkable."


Amanda Pitts‏ @APittsABC6 2h2 hours ago
Pictures shown of Nathan Carman’s rescue. Crew members on ship took them. Carman shown standing on life raft — “just standing up is pretty remarkable” after seven days at sea, says Harris. @ABC6


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 2h2 hours ago
Now looking at a picture of Carman swimming, grabbing life tube.
Harris says that the body quickly shuts down blood flow to extremities when at risk for hyporthermia, says Carman shouldn't be able to do based on account.


Amanda Pitts‏ @APittsABC6 2h2 hours ago
Carman seen in next photos gripping rope of life ring, and being dragged alongside ship during rescue. “Somebody who’s at all cold, they’re going to be flopping into things” Carman shown using fingertips to not bump into ship, muscles Harris says would be the first to go. @ABC6


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 2h2 hours ago
Carman pictured using hand, fingertips to brace himself against boat. Harris says it shows someone who's body temp is "pretty warm."


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 2h2 hours ago
Now looking at picture, video of Carman climbing ladder up the side of Orient Lucky, estimates 30-33 feet hike, 42 stairs. Carman climbing as quickly as crew member.


Amanda Pitts‏ @APittsABC6 2h2 hours ago
We’re now watching a video of Carman climbing stairs to the ship that rescues him with ease. Dr. Harris going on about how that’s unusual from someone floating at sea for 7 days. Carman tells attorney to object, Anderson does. It’s overruled @ABC6


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 2h2 hours ago
For context, this is the Orient Lucky

Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 2h2 hours ago
Harris continues to say Carman "is not hypothermic in the least." Anderson objects, asks to strike the opinion. Again, the judge has said he doesn't see Harris' testimony as relevant, but plaintiffs called to stand anyway


Amanda Pitts‏ @APittsABC6 1h1 hour ago
Dr. Harris: “He’s not hypothermic in the least.”
Carman’s attorney up next to question, opens with asking how much the doctor is making to testify today. @ABC6


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 2h2 hours ago
Now Anderson (who has 45 minutes left) looking to discredit Harris' testimony. Asks if he's been paid $20,000 as an expert. Harris says he doesn't know how much, will take Anderson's word.


Michelle San Miguel‏ @NBC10_Michelle 2h2 hours ago
Defense points out that Dr. Harris is getting paid $8,000 to testify today. @NBC10


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 2h2 hours ago
Harris says his calucation method scientifically tested, notes the Coast Guard uses it to assess when to deploy resources.

 

[YESorNO]

Amanda Pitts‏ @APittsABC6 1h1 hour ago
Dr. Harris is done testifying. Next up is final expert witness from insurance companies. Richard Limeburner, an oceanographer from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. @ABC6


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 1h1 hour ago
Richard Limeburner now taking the stand. Plaintiff's expert witness to talk about ocean drift. He's going to talk about Carman's account of his life raft drifting.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 1h1 hour ago
Limeburner says he's family with ocean currents, has studied buoys. In the past, he was able to predict the location of debris from helicopter crash. Says they found the wreckage in 15 minutes.


Amanda Pitts‏ @APittsABC6 16m16 minutes ago
Limeburner studied wind currents during the timeframe Carman was floating at sea. He said he would have had to be further east at the start in order to land where he was when the ship rescued him off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard. @ABC6


Amanda Pitts‏ @APittsABC6 8m8 minutes ago
“I don’t see how a drifting life raft can drift upwind, upstream,” concludes Limeburner. @ABC6


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 9m9 minutes ago
Limeburner: "I just don't see how a life raft could drift up stream, drift up wind." Says data on currents, wind don't jive with Carman's claim that he sank somewhere in the area of Block Island, then drifted to the area he was rescued off the shore of Massachusetts.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 2m2 minutes ago
Meant sinking site near Block Canyon, which is significant south of Block Island


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 2m2 minutes ago
Defense rests


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 10m10 minutes ago
That should plaintiff rests, but it's not my fault. Attorneys for Boat US (the plaintiffs) mispoke and I transcribed it as such.

 

[YESorNO]

Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 10m10 minutes ago
Defense, with little time left, calls Chris Roth Sr. He worked with Brian Woods on the Chicken Pox.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 11m11 minutes ago
Roth says it was a plug: used to make the mold that is then used to make other boats. Roth says Chicken Pox was "soaking wet, it wasn't a boat"


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 9m9 minutes ago
Roth thinks it was wood was some type of fir strips.
Brian Woods and others have said the wood was mahogany, which is a harder wood than fir.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 9m9 minutes ago
Roth: offered to cut up the boat and throw it out.
"It was just an upside down project from day 1."
Roth is a federally licensed boat builder.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 8m8 minutes ago
Roth says he drilled the holes to install the trim tabs. Says wood in between fiber glass shell was so wet, water came out.


Mike Savino ‏ @Reporter_Savino 5m5 minutes ago
Roth says boat was not worthy, but Anderson is told he is out of time. Already 4 minutes over.