A boat that crashed into Ryde Pier over the weekend has now been seized by officials, which comes after Police conducted a fingertip search of the vessel and seized a cannabis plant earlier today (Monday).
It was on Saturday evening that the steel-hulled yacht ‘Chouette’ dragged its anchor and crashed into the structure of the historic Ryde Pier, eventually becoming wedged bow-first underneath the main promenade. This forced the closure of the pier.
Then, early on Sunday morning, the boat was towed clear and placed onto a temporary mooring by Rebel Marine.
Now, the boat has been seized by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on safety grounds after it was towed into Ryde Harbour at just gone 11:00 this morning (Monday).
Officers from HM Coastguard and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary were waiting for the boat’s arrival.
Police donned lifejackets and boarded the vessel, conducting a thorough search before then removing an evidence bag – its content purposely obscured from the view of the cameras. It is now known that officers seized a small cannabis plant during today’s search.
The vessel’s occupier – and his dog – were nowhere to be seen at the harbourside in Ryde. No arrests have been made.
It’s thought that the same vessel was involved in an incident near the Beaulieu River on Wednesday morning. Lymington RNLI lifeboat responded to the 40ft vessel going aground at Needs Ore Point.
Investigations are now underway into any other related incidents across the South.
A spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has said:
“A vessel that collided with a pier on the Isle of Wight has now been detained, following an inspection by the MCA.
“On Saturday, 1 July, pleasure vessel Chouette started to drag its anchor and drift, causing it to collide with Ryde Pier.
“Following the incident a targeted general inspection was conducted by Maritime and Coastguard Agency surveyors on Monday, 3 July, when the vessel was relocated to a mooring in Ryde Marina.
“Chouette was detained under the Merchant Shipping Act as being dangerously unsafe”.
Sea low life now. And the echo reports we need more immigration here. I think not, we have more than enough crime, wasters, and breeders who have others pay for their scattered clones as it is.
Well done crocket and tubs, a major smuggling ring stopped. On a serious note the boat should be broken up like an untaxed car for being a sea going nuisance.
I’ve followed this guy on YouTube Sailing for years now. He was waiting to dry dock. Dragged anchor can happen to anyone.
Boat looks like its straight out of Water world!!
Lucrative human cargo safely discorged.Hash plant a red-herring ?
It’s his home! It’s beautiful on the inside!
Now the MCA. have made him homeless he will be able to ask the council to re-house him, sadly the dog won’t be.
From drug driving to stoned sailing, the island is the gift that keeps on giving.
Poor guy and his Dog, he’s been sailing all over the world. He’s a legend. Sad this happened to him. His cannabis plant was in memorial to a lost loved one. Give him his boat back and let him sail free.
Talk about persecution.inside that boat was pristine, had a brand new engine, needed to dry dock to freshen up and they’ve taken his home, his life. No one is free.