Strange story of yacht aground near Eastbourne

Seven Spades

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The yacht ran into trouble after apparently hitting rocks near Eastbourne, the skipper refused assistance and his yacht ran aground. He was then arrested under the mental health act?

Seems mad to refuse help in the circumstances, so is that enough to justify an arrest?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...d-running-yacht-aground-gale-force-winds.html

Obviously the details are few and far between so maybe there is more to the story than reported but it looks like the boat is a steel yacht and probably the chaps home.
 

Downsman

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He called Mayday..perhaps he just thought the Helicopter, RNLI boats, Police and Coastguard needed an exercise...
"so is that enough to justify an arrest?"

He was arrested for his own safety..not a criminal offence. So my answer to your question is "Yes"...:)
 

Seven Spades

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God knows why he refused help I assume it was the result of fatigue. But sectioning him and cuffing him seemed harsh to me, it looked like he was probably cold, in shock and probably needed a cup of tea and warming up.
 

jac

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I couldn't work out the mast. It looks like it's broken in two but if you put the two bits together it looks too big for the boat and i'm impressed that the top 1/2 didn't go properly over the side or through the deck. I thought then was it a gaff but you can clearly see the headsail furled on it and the masthead light so obviously is the mast.
 

lenseman

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I couldn't work out the mast. It looks like it's broken in two but if you put the two bits together it looks too big for the boat and i'm impressed that the top 1/2 didn't go properly over the side or through the deck. I thought then was it a gaff but you can clearly see the headsail furled on it and the masthead light so obviously is the mast.

Might have been a ketch with the mizzen down, steel yachts are often ketches?



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The yacht ran into trouble after apparently hitting rocks near Eastbourne, the skipper refused assistance and his yacht ran aground. He was then arrested under the mental health act?

Seems mad to refuse help in the circumstances, so is that enough to justify an arrest?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...d-running-yacht-aground-gale-force-winds.html

Obviously the details are few and far between so maybe there is more to the story than reported but it looks like the boat is a steel yacht and probably the chaps home.

This fella was in Mersea all last season and I think the season before. It was indeed his home. Jerry is his name very sad to see this. I didn't think they needed to arrest him though. Christ he's been through a lot and then they slap the cuffs on?
 

Tomahawk

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Now the boat is in the marina it will be stacking up mooring fees..
This will cause a problem.. The boat doesn't look very valuable s how long will the marina be perpared to extend credit before they put a liene on her?
As he has been arrested under mental health legislation, what happens to his home?
If Jerry can't pay them, he will soon loose the boat and and his home..

On the other hand.... he was aground so he has salvaged something.. for the moment?
 

Tony Cross

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Now the boat is in the marina it will be stacking up mooring fees..
This will cause a problem.. The boat doesn't look very valuable s how long will the marina be perpared to extend credit before they put a liene on her?
As he has been arrested under mental health legislation, what happens to his home?
If Jerry can't pay them, he will soon loose the boat and and his home..

On the other hand.... he was aground so he has salvaged something.. for the moment?

This might be a tad off-topic but since the owner didn't put the boat in the marina (he was detained at the time I assume) why should he be liable for the marina fees? Shouldn't whoever put the boat there be responsible for the fees?
 

Biggles Wader

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Insurance should cover it all,but it would make a very unusual claim if there were mental health issues involved.
As for the handcuffs and arrest thing it really looks bad,but we dont know the story.Possibly with the boat aground and lives at risk the police simply felt it justified to force the issue there and then to get the owner off the boat.I hope it all works out for the best.
 

Tomahawk

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.........I hope it all works out for the best.

So do I.. But I don't suppose it will..
The police were heavy handed in the way police know how to be heavy handed..
People will suddenly have sloping shoulders
No one will take responsibility.. Especially the policeman who made the arrest...

It will probably now turn very sour for Jerry..
 

Seven Spades

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whoops

http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/n...mb-disposal-team-head-to-eastbourne-1-4907082

The bomb disposal unit is on its way to Eastbourne this lunchtime (Saturday) after firearms were found on a yacht which has run aground on the beach.

Coastguards and police have been guarding the badly damaged vessel throughout the night after a dramatic rescue last night when a haul of firearms were found on the boat and the skipper had to be dragged to safety.

The Marie Celeste had run into difficulties after hitting rocks near the Beachy Head Lighthouse and a major sea rescue was launched. Weather and the sea conditions were so bad the rescue helicopter was unable to lower a winchman and coastguards had to physically remove the skipper from his vessel which was heading towards rocks.

He was eventually arrested and is in police custody as the bomb disposal unit prepare to tackle contaminated flares and firearms on the boat which is on the beach near Holywell.
 

Downsman

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It amuses me to read the knowledgeable posts from people..far away..

I am local..this bloke threatens violence to rescue crews..it is quite obvious, whether because of the loss of his boat or from deep seated other reasons that he needs professional medical help..without restraining him, there's going to be a punch-up in the surf, people will get hurt.
What are you going to do? Handcuff him and take him to hospital or wait until he either hurts himself or someone who is in fact trying to help him and save his boat/home?
 
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