South Korea Ferry Captain arrested for jeopardizing the lives of more than 300 passengers who are believed to be missing or dead, was taken into custody by police after the ferry capsized this week.

Lee Joon-seok, 68, and two crew members were arrested along with a rookie 25-year old third mate who was navigating unfriendly waters with just six months experience.

If convicted, the captain could be looking at up to a life sentence for the following crimes: "abandonment of the vessel, negligence, causing bodily injury, not seeking rescue from other ships, and violation of “seamen’s law,” according to a CNN report.

The three crew members were also sought by local police and prosecutors for a filing in the local courts: “The joint investigation team of police and prosecutors asked for warrants to arrest three crew, including the captain,” a coast guard official told the Agence' France Presse.

Mr. Lee responded to accusations that he delayed evacuation of passengers on board, he said that he thought they would 'drift away' if they did not remain in the ferry, BBC News reported.

268 passengers are still missing, most of them believed to be students from a S. Korean school. 28 individuals are believed to be dead, while 179 have been rescued from the sinking ferry. Divers gave up retrieving what was believed to bodies floating on debris from the ferry on Saturday as weather conditions hampered rescue efforts.

Captain Lee Joon Seok was quoted as saying in a report Thursday, “I feel really sorry for the passengers, victims and families. … I feel ashamed.”