Odd Story

[oldbloke]

A couple of days ago, my son was contacted by the Italian Coastguard and told his boat was in trouble off Naples.
My son lives in UK and doesn't have a boat!.
On investigation it was a large Maltese registered powerboat that for some reason had registered its emergency beacon with my son's details, including an old address. The boat is registered in the name of an English company, my son's details are not on the registry .
We can't see why anyone would do this and speaking to uk coastguard and people in the trade , they gad not heard of this either.
Anyone have any ideas?

 

[westernman]

A couple of days ago, my son was contacted by the Italian Coastguard and told his boat was in trouble off Naples.
My son lives in UK and doesn't have a boat!.
On investigation it was a large Maltese registered powerboat that for some reason had registered its emergency beacon with my son's details, including an old address. The boat is registered in the name of an English company, my son's details are not on the registry .
We can't see why anyone would do this and speaking to uk coastguard and people in the trade , they gad not heard of this either.
Anyone have any ideas?

Probably some Italian is avoiding paying his taxes.

The registration of the emergency beacon is to bring an additional element of proof that the boat is not owned by the Italian who is not paying the taxes he should be paying on his boat. This is to be consistent with the company registration.

 

[BruceK]

? the last thing you want when you are in distress is the taxman arriving before the coastguard with a demand including back taxes

 

[Black Sheep]

If you had the time and inclination, it might be interesting to contact the English company and find out if they are aware that there's a Maltese boat registered in their name...

 

[John100156]

Well, when transporting large quantities of contraband between IT and Malta, to avoid the Gov and/or Mafia Taxes, you do need to register it in someone's name I reckon I would be in touch with UK, IT. Malta CG's and local police in those countries to at least get something on record, even if they do nothing - this seems 'very dodgy' to use the correct legal terminology!

 

[westernman]

Well, when transporting large quantities of contraband between IT and Malta, to avoid the Gov and/or Mafia Taxes, you do need to register it in someone's name I reckon I would be in touch with UK, IT. Malta CG's and local police in those countries to at least get something on record, even if they do nothing - this seems 'very dodgy' to use the correct legal terminology!

Malta has a perfectly legal scheme for avoiding a lot of the VAT while still being EU VAT paid. Italy used to have a similar scheme. My guess is that the beneficiary owner has something to hide.

 

[John100156]

Is it mandatory to carry an emergency beacon (EB) out there? I can't think why you would go to the trouble of registering an EB in someone else name? I get the additional proof, but even so, I would want to let uncle Tom Cobley (et al) and all know about this deceit....!

 

[andy59]

Don’t stir up any trouble, you may get a horse’s head in the post ?

 

[John100156]

Irony is my son lives in Malta - whoops, better not give his name out......!