A South Whidbey man who is accused of flashing a high-powered laser at a Washington State Ferry has been fined $100,000 by the U.S. Coast Guard.

The Captain of the Port, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound, issued the civil penalty Tuesday to Mark D. Raden, a Freeland resident, for “intentionally” striking the Washington State Ferry Tokitae with a high-powered blue laser this past October.

Prosecutors charged Raden, 27, in Island County Superior Court Nov. 18 with the unlawful discharge of a laser.

According to a Friday news release, Coast Guard investigating officers determined that Raden was aboard the Kitsap transiting between Mukilteo and Clinton when he pointed the laser at the pilot house of the Tokitae, resulting in injuries to the ferry master and chief mate.

Coast Guard officials are seeking civil penalties for violation of a safety and security zone as well as interference with the safe operation of the Tokitae while it transited between Mukilteo and Clinton. The final civil penalty amount will be determined by a Coast Guard Hearing Officer in Arlington, Va.

“Firing a laser at a vessel is extremely dangerous and directly interferes with the safe movement of commercial vessels and the Coast Guard’s ability to conduct search and rescue operations,” said Captain Joe Raymond, Captain of the Port, Sector Puget Sound. “I encourage individuals who witness laser attacks on commercial vessels and Coast Guard small boats and aircraft to call 911.”

The laser was reportedly powerful enough to scorch wood.