Lynch mob justice?

[Tomahawk]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-44924244

Could the tragedy have still occurred even if all the issues pointed out by the prosecution had been addressed?

 

[RichardS]

Driving at speed in any small boat at night is always going to pose a significant risk. One would have to be an imbecile not to understand that. :ambivalence:

Richard

 

[Tomahawk]

Fair point.
They hit a submerged object. One can do that in broad daylight. The risk is higher in the dark but not non existent.
The cause of death is reported as cold water immersion, hypothermia. Even a life jacket may not have saved her from the cold.

 

[lw395]

Fair point.
They hit a submerged object. One can do that in broad daylight. The risk is higher in the dark but not non existent.
The cause of death is reported as cold water immersion, hypothermia. Even a life jacket may not have saved her from the cold.

Possibly coldwater shock? An auto LJ might have helped.
The question is, to what extent is he responsible for her actions in opening the throttle?

 

[Capt Popeye]

Fair point.
They hit a submerged object. One can do that in broad daylight. The risk is higher in the dark but not non existent.
The cause of death is reported as cold water immersion, hypothermia. Even a life jacket may not have saved her from the cold.

Yes probably only dressed for a Dinner Date on that Night, so stood very little chance of surviving long in cold water, maybe had a few drinks inside Her as well which would not have helped Her

I am rather dubious about the case brought against Him, but if speeding, at 20+ knots thats sheer madness on the Thames, when I patrolled that section on the Thames during Day and Night the sound of waterlogged timber plus occasional large debris hitting our Patrol Boat, which was strongly built for such events, was quite unsettling. We patrolled at about 6 knots unless responding to a 'shout'

 

[flaming]

Possibly coldwater shock? An auto LJ might have helped.
The question is, to what extent is he responsible for her actions in opening the throttle?

He was the skipper, and the experienced person on board. He'd set an example that this was ok by doing it himself.

100% responsible I would say.

 

[dom]

Shepherd has been convicted of manslaughter by gross negligence as defined under English Law by a jury sitting at the Old Bailey.

Not sure I get the lynch-mob angle

 

[sailaboutvic]

Shepherd has been convicted of manslaughter by gross negligence as defined under English Law by a jury sitting at the Old Bailey.

Not sure I get the lynch-mob angle

Nor me and as flaming said he was the skipper , I can see new laws coming out if this type of behaviour carries on .

 

[KellysEye]

That is not the first time that has happened.

 

[Nick Costen]

Think how we'd respond if his seduction routine had involved going out drink-driving in a car and the young woman passenger had been killed. The only real difference is the lack of specific laws to punish and suppress the behaviour before it reaches the critical point (although the very normality of the car analogue might make us put more responsibility on the poor woman).

Nick

 

[Champagne Murphy]

Given that he did a runner from the trial and told his legal team that he was going to I think it’s hard to justify the term lynch mob. He knew he was bang to rights from the sound of it. He was the one in charge, if I let a beginner helm my boat in Harwich harbour and it goes wrong then I’m the one in the poo.
And according to the Guardian he is wanted by police on another matter.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news...on-thames-is-in-hiding?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

 

[bedouin]

Yes it could - but if you take risks you will be held responsible if they might have contributed - rather like drinking and driving.

The fact that he has done a runner probably doesn't help.

 

[pmagowan]

there is no lynching
there is no mob
so there is only justice left.

 

[macd]

Shepherd has been convicted of manslaughter by gross negligence as defined under English Law by a jury sitting at the Old Bailey.

Not sure I get the lynch-mob angle

Nor me. The applicablity of the expression "lynch mob" is in a universe parallel to the one I live in. The only illegal thing going on at present is Shepherd's flight.

Imagine the fuss if it later emerged that Sheperd's identity and conviction hadn't been made public.

 

[Mark-1]

Think how we'd respond if his seduction routine had involved going out drink-driving in a car and the young woman passenger had been killed.

Whether the jury got this wrong or right, that analogy doesn't fit the circumstances at all.

 

[LadyInBed]

I'd like to see what moboers have to say about speed at night.
I don't think it's normal practice to reduce down to displacement speed at night.

 

[JumbleDuck]

I'd like to see what moboers have to say about speed at night.
I don't think it's normal practice to reduce down to displacement speed at night.

Isn't that why they have those underwater lights?

 

[Tranona]

Isn't that why they have those underwater lights?

Yes, to illuminate the semi submerged logs they are about to hit,

 

[RichardS]

I'd like to see what moboers have to say about speed at night.
I don't think it's normal practice to reduce down to displacement speed at night.

It's more about the size of the mobo. Anything over 30 foot It's unlikely to be much of a problem unless you're very unlucky. With a small speedboat like that hitting a crisp packet at speed is unlikely to end well.

Richard

 

[Resolution]

I also think that, from what we have read, he was being very stupid and should take responsibility.

As a bit of serious thread drift, we are approaching Cowes week again.On the assumption that there will be a firework display, can anyone going to it please remember to depart after the show CAREFULLY, reasonably sober and with lights , ljs etc all properly employed? Not doing 30 knots in an unlit RIB with your date for the evening sitting on the bouncy tubes.