British yacht in huge drugs bust.

[AndrewB]

A British yacht "Friday Freedom" (SSR140715) has been seized here in Bundaberg, Australia, with 'hundreds' of kilos of cocaine aboard. It is believed to be one one of the biggest drugs hauls ever in Australia.

The Spanish couple aboard were apprehended in the town, following an attempt to offload part of their cargo.

The 16m yacht arrived in Bundaberg as part of the annual "Port-2-Port" rally from Port Vila, Vanuatu. It had been cleared by customs on arrival. This poses an interesting question about the use of offshore rallies, which often arrange simplified customs procedures, to serve as a cover for smugglers.

Ironically the couple had just won the title of "best dressed pirates" in a social event run by the rally.

Australian Customs have in the past had a reputation for being tough on visiting yachties. This might well cause them to reconsider their recent more relaxed approach.

 

[BrianH]

A British yacht "Friday Freedom" (SSR140715) has been seized here in Bundaberg, Australia, with 'hundreds' of kilos of cocaine aboard.
The Spanish couple aboard were apprehended in the town, following an attempt to offload part of their cargo.
Australian Customs have in the past had a reputation for being tough on visiting yachties. This might well cause them to reconsider their recent more relaxed approach.

Could such an event cause the MCA "to reconsider their more relaxed approach" to the granting of British Part III registration to anyone who applies for it without any checks whatsoever as to eligibility - including UK residence?

 

[chinita]

Could such an event cause the MCA "to reconsider their more relaxed approach" to the granting of British Part III registration to anyone who applies for it without any checks whatsoever as to eligibility - including UK residence?

You have taken the words right out of my mouth. I would add, not just UK residency but UK nationality.

And yet, some around these parts claim that this sort of flagrant abuse is not happening!

 

[blenkinsop]

When we arrived in Bundaberg with the Port 2 Port rally two years ago the check in procedures were simplified in that a large team of officials was on site to process the yachts with minimum delay. However, the customs inspection was much more thorough than in a subsequent arrival, solo, in Cairns and included poking cameras under the hull and into the water tanks.

 

[Reverend Ludd]

As with what I understand is the case in the majority of large drugs hauls they were probably acting on information received.
It might well be that customs were happy to clear the boat through and were keeping an eye out for visitors to the boat. Just a maybe of course.

 

[BrianH]

You have taken the words right out of my mouth. I would add, not just UK residency but UK nationality.

British nationality is not necessary for EU nationals providing the "established" requirements are met. From the Guidelines:

Who may register a small ship?
A small ship may be registered if it is owned by one or more of the following persons who are 'ordinarily resident' in the UK:-

• British citizens
• Persons who are nationals of a European Union or European Economic Area country other than the United Kingdom and are established * in the UK

* Established It is not sufficient to live in the UK to be established in accordance with Articles 48 and 52 of the EU Treaty. To be established a person must make an economic contribution to the UK by being the proprietor of a business, being employed, or having very recently retired from such employment. i.e. within the last 6 months. If you have any doubts about your establishment you should consult the Registry.

What does ordinarily resident mean?
For the purposes of registering a ship it means living and sleeping in the UK for a significant part of the year. A person may be considered to be ordinarily resident in the country in which they live for a period of, or periods, which collectively amount to 185 days or more in a twelve month period. If you are resident in the UK for tax purposes, you will generally be regarded as resident for the purpose of registration.

​

 

[lenseman]

FOUR people are in custody after hundreds of kilograms of cocaine worth millions of dollars were seized in a dramatic raid at the Bundaberg Port Marina on Friday night.

The raids began after a car, carrying about 90kg of the drug, was pulled over by police at the turtle roundabout on Bargara Rd about 10.30pm on Friday.

The NewsMail understands the drug haul is one of the biggest ever in Bundaberg.

Hundreds of kilos of the drug were later found on a boat called Friday Freedom at the port marina, where the vessel was led into a dry work dock so members of the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Customs and Bundaberg police could search it extensively.

A Spanish couple who lived on the boat were taken into custody.

The NewsMail understands the drug syndicate had been under surveillance for some time.

A shocked Lesley Grimminck, president of the Bundaberg Cruising Yacht Club, said the Friday Freedom had taken part in the club's annual Port 2 Port Rally from Vanuatu this year.

"They have participated in the events that we have had (at the marina) for the rally," she said.

She said the pair had always appeared friendly, despite their English being a little patchy.

Mrs Grimminck said she had not had much contact with the couple, but described them as "delightful".

"They have just been one of the 85 boats which have been coming in for the rally," she said.

The club president said everyone involved in the rally had been shocked by the raids.

She said the couple had been at the port marina for about four weeks prior to the police descending on their boat.

The NewsMail understands Bundaberg Port Marina staff were asked to move the Friday Freedom to the customs jetty about 7.30am on Saturday so further searches could take place.

The raid comes just a week before Schoolies Week on the Gold Coast, when hundreds of school leavers will gather for a week-long end-of-school party.

A Federal Police spokesman confirmed an operation was "ongoing" in the Bundaberg area.

The spokesman said further information would be made available soon.

It is understood more information will be released today.

http://www.news-mail.com.au/story/2011/11/13/huge-cocaine-haul-worth-millions/


There is no record of this yacht on the ITU register?

http://www.itu.int/online/mms/mars/ship_search.sh
.
.
.

 

[chinita]

British nationality is not necessary for EU nationals providing the "established" requirements are met. From the Guidelines:

Who may register a small ship?
A small ship may be registered if it is owned by one or more of the following persons who are 'ordinarily resident' in the UK:-

• British citizens
• Persons who are nationals of a European Union or European Economic Area country other than the United Kingdom and are established * in the UK

* Established It is not sufficient to live in the UK to be established in accordance with Articles 48 and 52 of the EU Treaty. To be established a person must make an economic contribution to the UK by being the proprietor of a business, being employed, or having very recently retired from such employment. i.e. within the last 6 months. If you have any doubts about your establishment you should consult the Registry.

What does ordinarily resident mean?
For the purposes of registering a ship it means living and sleeping in the UK for a significant part of the year. A person may be considered to be ordinarily resident in the country in which they live for a period of, or periods, which collectively amount to 185 days or more in a twelve month period. If you are resident in the UK for tax purposes, you will generally be regarded as resident for the purpose of registration.

​

Yes, I know all of that.

It is easy to get around those rules if you want, just tell lies and use the UK address of a friend. The savings in money and convenience are significant.

My point is that it is much more difficult to pretend to be a British National; and that, IMO, should be a requirement to own a vessel on Part III British Registry

 

[BrianH]

Yes, I know all of that.
It is easy to get around those rules if you want, just tell lies and use the UK address of a friend. The savings in money and convenience are significant.
My point is that it is much more difficult to pretend to be a British National; and that, IMO, should be a requirement to own a vessel on Part III British Registry

I agree. I often see SSR registered boats in the Med. that have foreign owners that I find it hard to believe are "established" in the UK - one even wearing a union flag as an ensign.

As a British expatriate who cannot comply with the UK residence requirement I have had to go to the considerable trouble and expense to register my boat on the Part I register - it piques me that less scrupulous owners fraudulently use the SSR registration as a flag of convenience - because they so easily can.

 

[AndrewB]

Correction: "Friday Freedom" is SSR147075. I believe it was formerly registered in New Zealand, but is now flying a red ensign.

Federal police have now revealed that it was carrying approx 300kg of cocaine with a value of £50m, plus about £2m in cash. They claim to have been tracking the yacht for months, though some suspect Australian customs may have been caught flatfooted.

 

[rtchina]

Drugs bust on yacht

Isn't it about time that the war on drugs was abandoned? The toll in death and injury not to say cost, of this failed policy beggars belief. Remember what prohibition in the USA gave us? The Mafia.
I am 100% with the President of Columbia, who has seen his country destroyed by this so called "war" and asks for a sane discussion of the issues, not to speak of Mexico, with over 40,000 people killed. Sometimes I think that the "war on drugs" is just another method used by the USA to subjugate the people of Latin America. Legalise these drugs, sell via registered outlet, tax it, and take away the excitement of doing something illegal. Crime in the UK would fall substantially since there would be no need to steal to pay exorbitant prices to street dealers. It is a win win, but unfortunately the war on drugs is such a big industry, vested interest will maintain the status quo. Until we get a real statesman who can do what is necessary.
By the way, I have never, ever taken recreational drugs and have no interest in doing so.

 

[Oldhairy]

Settle down

No need to get knickers in knots about Spaniards registering in the UK.
Some press reports made reference to another yacht owned by the same person currently (at the time of the bust) in another Pacific port.
Fair chance the crew were not the owners.