Man dies on Isles of Scilly after Border Agency raid on moored yacht

[Scillypete]

He did not accidentally fall and he was not pushed . . . . . eye witness reports are that he deliberately swallow dived from the top of his mast, Border force officers had boarded to conduct a search of the boat as there were suspicions about his activities and the yacht.

At this time that is all I know, and the rumour mill is working overtime round here at the moment so what is fact and fiction is hard to tell, fact is he dived.

His boat was taken away last night to the mainland not sure where they were taking it but most likely to Falmouth.

 

[prv]

Clearly not black as in the eyes of some of the delusionists here black clothing is "racist".
Quite how clothing can be racist is utterly beyond me

Well, Lonsdale sweatshirts are supposedly common racist apparel in Germany. Or were a few years ago, anyway, my information is a little out of date.

I agree that the post earlier in this thread was nonsense, though. I'm not particularly a fan of the way the UKBA choose to outfit themselves, but accusations of a racist connection are simply bizarre.

Pete

(In case you're wondering about the Lonsdale thing: the German equivalent of the BNP have been known to wear tops with LONSDALE across the chest in big letters, and then wear an unzipped jacket over the top arranged to cover the LO on one side and the LE on the other. This leaves NSDA, the official abbreviation for the old Nazi party ("Nazi" was only ever a pejorative nickname). The display of Nazi symbols is illegal in Germany apart from in academic and similar contexts, and this gets round the ban for those who think that Hitler had the right idea.)

 

[Spyro]

, whatever the facts behind it, a man became so scared of their presence on his boat that he died.

Yes you are correct he died but from where do you get the bit about him being scared?

 

[zzyyxx]

More than its the helmets, guns and boots Maybe white would be a good idea, Though the civil serpents would object to the cleaning costs

Hmm.. not so sure.....

 

[trapezeartist]

The circumstances of the incident are clearly not in the public domain at the moment, so it's best not to second guess. Hopefully a coroner's court will establish the facts and make them public.

The loosely associated topic of the UKBF is another matter. The assertion that the colour of the uniform is racist is patently ludicrous, but I do feel that the choice of uniform is intimidating. Indeed, so is the change in name from an Agency to a Force. I was boarded by French Customs last week: three guys in a red rib wearing sailing jackets and deckshoes. They waited while we got the anchor up then politely asked permission to come aboard. Once on board they asked to see passports and ship's registration, filled in their form and left. As they jumped down into their rib they wished us a good voyage. While no-one will ever accuse me of being a francophile, I was suitably impressed and the French Customs will have my goodwill and support, should they ever desire it in future.

 

[Iain C]

Clearly not black as in the eyes of some of the delusionists here black clothing is "racist".
Quite how clothing can be racist is utterly beyond me, as is most of the ludicrous twaddle here that seems to imply that if anyone is hurt within sight to even within hours of any uniformed operation it is likely to be the fault of the uniformed service. Simply amazing anyone's mind can work like this, it must be a very frightening world for them with such Machiavellian brutes all around trying to do them in.

Couldn't have said it better myself. They wear black as it might...just might...be a good colour for rummaging around in engine rooms and having a better chance of catching illegal immigrants and drug smugglers at night. So what if it gives them a "presence", that's the idea isn't it? Do we want them wearing polka dotted onesies and cruising round in a pink boat with "UK Regional Tourist Development Board and Immigrant Assistance Welcome Cooperative" emblazonec on a pretty piece of bunting?

The speculation on here is also mind boggling. If the un-researched headline said "Pavement riding London despatch cyclist dies after running red light during police check" the kangaroo court would be sending him down for 20. Completely pointless discussing what happened until the facts (in broad daylight with witnesses) come out.

 

[savageseadog]

Couldn't have said it better myself. They wear black as it might...just might...be a good colour for rummaging around in engine rooms and having a better chance of catching illegal immigrants and drug smugglers at night. So what if it gives them a "presence", that's the idea isn't it?...............

Most boats they board will be perfectly legitimate, they should consider that if they want the goodwill and cooperation of the majority of us then they should act and behave in a pleasant manner.

 

[Moonshining]

Most boats they board will be perfectly legitimate, they should consider that if they want the goodwill and cooperation of the majority of us then they should act and behave in a pleasant manner.

+1

The militarisation of those who are supposed to serve us is disturbing. The numbers of police who wander round the streets looking like members of a SWAT team with all black outfits, trousers tucked into boots etc. is ridiculous.

 

[Babylon]

The circumstances of the incident are clearly not in the public domain at the moment, so it's best not to second guess. Hopefully a coroner's court will establish the facts and make them public.

The loosely associated topic of the UKBF is another matter. The assertion that the colour of the uniform is racist is patently ludicrous, but I do feel that the choice of uniform is intimidating. Indeed, so is the change in name from an Agency to a Force. I was boarded by French Customs last week: three guys in a red rib wearing sailing jackets and deckshoes. They waited while we got the anchor up then politely asked permission to come aboard. Once on board they asked to see passports and ship's registration, filled in their form and left. As they jumped down into their rib they wished us a good voyage. While no-one will ever accuse me of being a francophile, I was suitably impressed and the French Customs will have my goodwill and support, should they ever desire it in future.

+1

The militarisation of those who are supposed to serve us is disturbing. The numbers of police who wander round the streets looking like members of a SWAT team with all black outfits, trousers tucked into boots etc. is ridiculous.

Precisely.

 

[Greenheart]

Might be amusing if all the sailing clubs, race-committees, tour-boats, ferry-crews and private RIB-users around our shores donned similar garb...

View attachment 32903

...the imposing image of the UKBF might have to adjust again, just to be distinguishable. How about baby-blue drysuits, and RIBs coloured like big bumble-bees?

 

[DaveS]

Might be amusing if all the sailing clubs, race-committees, tour-boats, ferry-crews and private RIB-users around our shores donned similar garb...

View attachment 32903

...the imposing image of the UKBF might have to adjust again, just to be distinguishable. How about baby-blue drysuits, and RIBs coloured like big bumble-bees?

So how does this square with post #30: "They are not allowed to carry guns and are unarmed."?

 

[Kurrawong_Kid]

I can see the need for wetsuits and helmets if charging about in RIBS. However if it is not a covert operation it is not beyond the bounds of practicality to wear a a light overgarment, similar to a high visibility jacket, which would give a less intimidating approach to the average "boardie". In the days of H.M. Customs they wore a smart cap and a blue serge jacket. Courteous, smart but thorough.

Might be amusing if all the sailing clubs, race-committees, tour-boats, ferry-crews and private RIB-users around our shores donned similar garb...

View attachment 32903

...the imposing image of the UKBF might have to adjust again, just to be distinguishable. How about baby-blue drysuits, and RIBs coloured like big bumble-bees?

 

[prv]

So how does this square with post #30: "They are not allowed to carry guns and are unarmed."?

That's not a picture of UKB"F", it's just a random picture of men in black in a RIB that Dan has found. These ones are clearly soldiers so entitled to carry weapons and look intimidating if they wish.

However, having been boarded by them some years ago, I can attest that the UKBA did look very similar, minus the firearms.

Pete

 

[ChrisE]

That's not a picture of UKB"F", it's just a random picture of men in black in a RIB that Dan has found. These ones are clearly soldiers so entitled to carry weapons and look intimidating if they wish.

However, having been boarded by them some years ago, I can attest that the UKBA did look very similar, minus the firearms.

Pete

The guys that boarded us both times were wearing shorts, T-shirts and lifejackets. The RIB driver was in uniform but except for the prominent ID tag the others could have been any other boater.

 

[prv]

The guys that boarded us both times were wearing shorts, T-shirts and lifejackets. The RIB driver was in uniform but except for the prominent ID tag the others could have been any other boater.

That's very interesting. When was this? My experience was about five or six years ago, and they were very paramilitary in dress and equipment then (though reasonably polite in attitude).

Pete

 

[Greenheart]

That's not a picture of UKB"F", it's just a random picture of men in black in a RIB that Dan has found.

Perfectly correct. I didn't mean to be taken too seriously.

In realistic terms, I wonder whether UKBF crews having a hard-nut image, is more important in discouraging smugglers/illegal border-crossing/terrorists, than learning to be properly courteous with the innocent majority of boaters they encounter? A great shame if they can't manage both.

 

[ChrisE]

That's very interesting. When was this? My experience was about five or six years ago, and they were very paramilitary in dress and equipment then (though reasonably polite in attitude).

Pete

Last time, 4 years ago returning from Cherbourg with hold full of wine, as ever. Very polite young men who laughed when they saw the amount of booze (the sole was stacked two deep...)

 

[Woodlouse]

Perfectly correct. I didn't mean to be taken too seriously.

In realistic terms, I wonder whether UKBF crews having a hard-nut image, is more important in discouraging smugglers/illegal border-crossing/terrorists, than learning to be properly courteous with the innocent majority of boaters they encounter? A great shame if they can't manage both.

Almost all the accounts I've heard of people being boarded by the UKBA have said that they were polite and courteous. I can't remember hearing a first hand account of them being rude and abusive.

 

[Greenheart]

I can't remember hearing a first hand account of them being rude and abusive.

Perhaps then, it's fair to say that only the guilty need feel the remotest butterflies when being hailed or boarded by these crews?

Then again, I know SWMBO has palpitations when we pass a police car, and the only thing she's guilty of is tediously unambitious parking/manoeuvering.

 

[Cardo]

+1

The militarisation of those who are supposed to serve us is disturbing. The numbers of police who wander round the streets looking like members of a SWAT team with all black outfits, trousers tucked into boots etc. is ridiculous.

Where do you hang out? I don't even see that many dressed as you describe in police stations, let alone in the street! (I'm not saying there aren't any, but just not that high in proportion to those wearing the "regular" uniform)