A Maine commercial fisherman is suing his former captain concerning injuries and mental anguish he says he sustained when a fishing vessel ran aground.

The lawsuit on behalf of Vance Evan Eldridge, of Hampden, was filed in U.S. District Court in Maine on Thursday. It blames the vessel’s captain, Gary Eaton of Stonington, for the July 2023 incident and requests a trial by jury.

Eldridge was resting below deck on the morning of July 25, 2023, as Eaton captained Mygraine II to its offshore lobster traps, according to the lawsuit. It claims Eaton put the vessel on autopilot and was not attentive at the wheel when it crashed into rocks.

Eldridge sustained a concussion and strained his cervical spine as a result of the crash, the lawsuit states. He has also suffered from post-concussion syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety in the aftermath, according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit claims Eldridge is permanently impaired due to the crash and has lost his ability to work as a commercial fisherman

“Since the grounding incident, (Eldridge) has been found to be permanently and totally
disabled for his post-traumatic stress disorder with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder,” the lawsuit says.

The lawsuit accuses Eaton of negligence and unseaworthiness and calls for Eldridge to be compensated for the costs he has incurred as a result of his medical treatment and loss of income.

The office of Eldridge’s attorneys was closed on Monday and Eaton could not be reached.