Ferry nicked!

[Thepipdoc]

At 5;10am I was greeted by the sight of a ferry going broadside up the River Dart at about 3knts and a couple of people in a RIB alongside shouting at a couple of people on board the ferry.

http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/W...t-set-adrift/story-13313753-detail/story.html

I couldn't see that the people in the RIB were in fact the RNLI till they came to within 100m from my warm cosy bed.
I can tell you I was very pleased this was happening some distance away from me because if it was any closer I would have been abandoning ship - the speed at which this thing was travelling would have very quickly turned my cosy bed into a soggy wet mess!

I spoke to a local ferry man who said that he had heard that the people on board had decided to take the ferry to get from the Dartmouth side of the river to Kingswear side. They cast off and THEN couldn't figure out how to start the engines!
The whole operation to must have cost many thousands of pounds and potentially put lives at risk. It’ll be interesting to see how the courts treat the nutter that nicked it.

 

[AllanJ]

Surely the bigger issue here is a supposed journalist including 'both' in,
" Both a man and woman were arrested "

 

[SteveE]

How big is that thing? when I read the post I thought it was going to be one of those rowing boat's with an outboard ferries!!!!

What a drunken pair of idiots..

 

[rbcoomer]

She has been charged with 'taking without consent' - not sure about the bloke. She was a 51 year old local - just goes to prove some folk never grow up! I assumed it would be kids when I heard...

 

[crazy4557]

You have to wonder why he wasn't nicked as well? Maybe he's already been naughty and on a suspended sentence or something and got her to take the rap so that he doesn't get into real trouble.
Bit like giving points to a friend in a way to save your own licence.

 

[Thepipdoc]

How big is that thing? .

I guess it's about 60ft and about 60 tonnes!

 

[Watson47]

Not the first time something like this has happened. Arranmore Ferry stolen a while back & a little more serious in that the perpetrator rammed the lifeboat. He was however caught and 'restrained' by locals.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/n...retrieved-after-highspeed-chase-14323930.html

 

[SteveE]

I guess it's about 60ft and about 60 tonnes!

They should throw the book at her!!!!

 

[Ripster]

I guess it's about 60ft and about 60 tonnes!

I know that Ferry and floating beam on down the Dart that must have looked HUGE. What a pair of Pratts I hope they get a suitable punishment and large fine. "

 

[OAF]

total disregard for either their own lives or any one else's, needs the book throwing at her!

 

[powerskipper]

should have cycled.

like this.

 

[AndieMac]

I wonder how secured to the berth she was?

Our insurance companies demand appropiate chains and locks to the pontoons.

 

[Csail]

At 5;10am I was greeted by the sight of a ferry going broadside up the River Dart at about 3knts and a couple of people in a RIB alongside shouting at a couple of people on board the ferry.

http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/W...t-set-adrift/story-13313753-detail/story.html

I couldn't see that the people in the RIB were in fact the RNLI till they came to within 100m from my warm cosy bed.
I can tell you I was very pleased this was happening some distance away from me because if it was any closer I would have been abandoning ship - the speed at which this thing was travelling would have very quickly turned my cosy bed into a soggy wet mess!

I spoke to a local ferry man who said that he had heard that the people on board had decided to take the ferry to get from the Dartmouth side of the river to Kingswear side. They cast off and THEN couldn't figure out how to start the engines!
The whole operation to must have cost many thousands of pounds and potentially put lives at risk. It’ll be interesting to see how the courts treat the nutter that nicked it.

Thought you said 3knts.....that wont get your bed wet!!!!

 

[rbcoomer]

like this.

Blimey, don't give the 'powers that be' ideas - as well as no anchor zones to protect sea horses and snails, we'll have green-buoyed cycle lanes all over the place...

 

[AndieMac]

Blimey, don't give the 'powers that be' ideas - as well as no anchor zones to protect sea horses and snails, we'll have green-buoyed cycle lanes all over the place...

..and more excuses to wear lycra! ;^)

 

[Latestarter1]

I wonder how secured to the berth she was?

Our insurance companies demand appropiate chains and locks to the pontoons.

This is sunny Dartmouth, chains and locks heaven forbid!

 

[MrB]

This is sunny Dartmouth, chains and locks heaven forbid!

<<<Off to Dartmouth to pick up new Yacht

 

[Thepipdoc]

<<<Off to Dartmouth to pick up new Yacht

Apparently the ferry company will be in bother because they aren't allowed to berth alonside the public pontoon when they've finsished for the night - for the very reason that it encourages drunk idiots to play sailors!

 

[longjohnsilver]

Apparently the ferry company will be in bother because they aren't allowed to berth alonside the public pontoon when they've finsished for the night - for the very reason that it encourages drunk idiots to play sailors!

It wasn't one of the regular ferries, it's the one they use for taking visitors out to visiting naval vessels. No idea where it's normally kept, Torbay maybe?

 

[Ripster]

It wasn't one of the regular ferries, it's the one they use for taking visitors out to visiting naval vessels. No idea where it's normally kept, Torbay maybe?

Paignton Harbour - possibly.