The police say the unnamed 19-year-old is "lucky to be alive" after driving the boat onto rocks on the Isles of Scilly whilst drunk.

A 19-year-old has been criticised by the police after crashing a borrowed speedboat onto rocks on the Isles of Scilly whilst drunk.

The incident resulted in an extensive search by the St Mary’s RNLI Lifeboat, Coastguard teams and the police.

The police say that although it is not a criminal offence to be drunk in charge of a boat, the teen’s actions were “pretty stupid”.

The boat was initially spotted leaving St Mary’s Harbour in the early hours of 30 April by two on-duty police officers. It was being driven erratically and subsequently ran aground on Newford Island.

the crashed speedboat on the Isles of Scilly

The boat on the rocks. Credit St Mary’s RNLI Lifeboat Station/Facebook

 

As a result, the St Mary’s Lifeboat was tasked, using search lights and flares to try and locate those onboard. Three RNLI crew members also used the inflatable boarding boat.

The police and Coastguard team were also searching the area, and found no one at the crash site. A detailed shoreline and harbour search got underway and the teen was found 40 minutes later at the top of St Mary’s.

According to a spokesman from the St Mary’s RNLI Lifeboat Station, the 19-year-old was “intoxicated, cold but relatively unharmed”.

Once it was confirmed that he was the only casualty, the search was stood down. The teen was taken to hospital but was subsequently released.

The police are now warning anyone not to drive any vehicle while drunk.

Warnings of drink boating by Isles of Scilly Police

Isles of Scilly Sergeant, Colin Taylor posted this warning on Twitter. Credit Colin Taylor/Twitter

 

Isles of Scilly Sergeant, Colin Taylor posted this on his official Twitter account.

“Drinking & driving boats may not be unlawful but it is pretty stupid. Man who drove this last night lucky to survive.”