Drunk boat pilot crashed into harbour vessel

3 hours ago

Jonathan MorrisSouth West

News image — The moored vessel was damaged, including a puncture hole to its side, at New Grimsby Harbour on Tresco

Devon and Cornwall Police The image shows the side of a blue-painted boat hull with visible impact damage, including a small puncture hole and scuff marks along the metal panel. Above the damaged area, there is a metal railing and bolts with handwritten markings near one section, suggesting the damage has been inspected or noted. — The moored vessel was damaged, including a puncture hole to its side, at New Grimsby Harbour on Tresco

Police have warned about the dangers of reckless behaviour on water after a drunk boat pilot admitted causing more than £55,000 of damage in a harbour on the Isles of Scilly.

Joshua Street, 29, of Bryher, crashed a 24ft (7.3m) vessel into a moored boat at New Grimsby Harbour on Tresco in September 2024.

The impact left the vessel badly damaged, Truro magistrates heard on Monday. Street was found the next morning asleep on his boat and was arrested. He had been between two and four times over the drink-driving limit.

He admitted an act likely to have caused the loss, destruction or serious damage to a ship or structure and was fined £1,760 and ordered to pay £16,271 in compensation and costs.

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Speaking after the case, investigating officer PC Robin Strickland said: "The Isles of Scilly is a unique community where boating is an essential part of everyday life."

But he said that when behaviour on the water was seen as irresponsible or reckless, police and the Maritime Coastguard Agency would take action.

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