Drunken boat trip results in fine

Posted on December 22^nd 2008

A businessman overloaded a 17ft cruiser with people endangering them when the weight of the vessel caused the boat to start taking on water.

Mid way through the journey back in June a concerned guests mother, whose daughter was on the boat, alerted the emergency services. The guest had phoned her mother who in turn alerted the authorities.

It was heard in the first hearing that the ill-fated journey was after dinner with friends. After dinner the businessman decided to take people out on the boat from the nearby jetty.

A helicopter was scrambled to the screen to assist the passengers. When the helicopter crew lowered themselves on to the vessel it emerged that the businessman and a friend, dressed in wetsuits had jumped into the water and dragged the boat to the shore.

The rescue operation cost about £17,000 including £15,000 for the helicopter. The man has to pay a fine of £1000.

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