Drunk passenger admits dropping ship’s anchor in Caribbean
- Mon, 22 Aug 2011
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A cruise passenger admitted sneaking into a restricted area and dropping the ship's anchor in the middle of the Caribbean when he was drunk.
MS Ryndam was travelling from Mexico to Florida when Rick Ehlert dropped the anchor.
He entered a restricted area, put on some work gloves and released the 18-ton stern anchor. He also threw a life buoy overboard.
Mr Ehlert admitted being drunk and explained that the anchor system was similar to the one on his own 50ft boat, the Daily Mail reports.
The FBI said that dropping the anchor could have punctured the ship, measuring almost 220 metres long. It could have sunk or severely flooded.
In fact, investigators said the only reason the ship avoided damage was because the anchor didn't hit the floor.
As soon as the offence was discovered, the captain made an appeal for information. When no one came forward, CCTV footage was reviewed and Mr Ehlert was identified.
He faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine after pleading guilty to one count of attempting to damage a maritime facility.
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Have your say!
Latest comments
Richard Shorter
August 30 14:30
A drunk landlubber might not have understood the consequences. This man is a boat owner so as well as being drunk he must be either stupid or malicious.
Pat OLeary
August 25 11:10
"this bloke has his own 50ft boat "
.... maybe that should now read "HAD his own 59 ft boat"?:)
kelvin dodson
August 24 16:40
he was drunk made a big mistake. but he should have not been able to enter the area.perhaps the shipping line should be fined for negligence?
David
August 24 16:35
I think the shipping company is the one to blame. If you provide alcohol as a company you need to take your security sourious before something worse can happen.