ALBANY, N.Y., March 26 (Reuters) - The captain of a New York tour boat that capsized in October 2005 and killed 20 elderly passengers pleaded guilty on Monday to a maritime offense.

Richard Paris was fined $250 and ordered to perform 210 hours of community service for failing to have a second crew member on board the Ethan Allen tour boat.

The vessel's owner, Shoreline Cruises Inc., also pleaded guilty and was fined $250.

The Ethan Allen was carrying 47 passengers on a fall foliage cruise on Lake George when it capsized and sank.

A National Transportation Safety Board investigation said a factor in the accident was excess weight on board.

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