The Bainbridge Island woman who garnered widespread media attention last year after a tree-top protest against the new Visconsi shopping development on High School Road is in legal trouble after her latest protest.

Coast Guard officials announced last week that it would seek civil penalties against Chiara D’Angelo and three other protesters who violated a safety zone around a Shell-contracted ship in Bellingham during Memorial Day weekend.

D’Angelo secured herself to the anchor chain of the Arctic Challenger, and was later joined by another protester. At the end of the holiday weekend on May 25, she asked the Coast Guard for help in getting down.

Coast Guard officials said she was starting to show signs of hypothermia.

D’Angelo was later cited “for entry into or staying in a federally-regulated safety zone between May 22 and 24.”

The Coast Guard can seek a maximum civil penalty of $40,000 for each entry into the zone or day the individuals violated the zone.

Officials said the final penalty will be determined by the Coast Guard Hearing Office in Arlington, Virginia. Hearing officers will be assigned and provide the individuals an opportunity to refute the charges or provide evidence on their behalf.

“The Coast Guard supports and defends the rights of the public to assemble peacefully and protest; however, prolonged violations of the safety zones tax Coast Guard resources and crews hindering the Service’s ability to quickly respond to mariners in distress or other life-threatening emergencies,” said Capt. Joe Raymond, commander of Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound and captain of the port. “Most importantly, prolonged safety violations unnecessarily put protesters and law enforcement personnel at risk due to rapidly changing environmental conditions, fatigue and marine traffic.”