In the opening episode of series 2 of Coastguard: Search and Rescue SOS – which aired on Channel 5 last night (Sunday) – the spotlight was shone on the investigation that followed serious boat crash in Totland back in 2022. It was on 24th September 2022 that the vessel ‘Sully’ smashed into rocks in Totland Bay, leaving the boat high and dry at the foot of the cliff near the Headon Warren viewpoint. Several witnesses reported that the brightly lit motor cruiser crossed Totland Bay at speed and would have been unlikely to maintain a proper lookout. The vessel continued without deviating or slowing down before grounding on the shore at high speed. The incident sparked an extensive search and rescue response, involving HM Coastguard, the RNLI and Police, as reported by Island Echo at the time. 3 passengers on board the motorboat sustained serious injuries, with 1 of the crew suffering life-changing injuries. Skipper, Ian Sullivan from Swindon was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, and pay £20,000 in legal costs. The collision caused serious damage to the vessel, which has proved impossible to salvage. It remains marooned high and dry on the shore. The programme showcased numerous eyewitness reports as well as initial claims by those emergency service personnel first on scene. Mark Cam, Senior Investigator with the MCA’s Regulatory Compliance Investigations Team, walks viewers through the incident and the thorough investigation that ensued. During the programme, CCTV footage shows the 55-year-old entering and leaving The Hut at Colwell Bay after spending some 8 hours at the West Wight eatery. In interview proceedings shown during the programme, Mr Sullivan goes ‘no comment’ to several questions asked to him. Mark Cam, senior investigator with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s Regulatory Compliance Investigations Team, said:
“We want to send a clear message that such offences are not acceptable and those unwilling to follow rules and regulation and improve standards of safety will face the full weight of the law,”
The Channel 5 programme – which aired live last night (Sunday 28th April) – is available to watch on demand on My5.
Money talks ballshit walks?
Great to see the island being exposed in National News the word
needs to get out what really goes on, on this isle.
Not the lies on Alan Titchmarsh TV show
8 hours in The Hut speaks volumes !
Yes it does.. Seems crazy to me that anyone can legally buy a huge yacht and take it out without any training or licence and can be completely drunk.
More money than sense obviously a show off, expensive meal, expensive crash
I hope the people on board take him to court for damages, that could change his life instead…
I hope someone is going to dispose of this wreck and somehow ensure Mr Sullivan pays for this.
He had been drinking all day I was in the Hut & watched him.
I really hope he gets sued now for the cost of hospital treatment plus on going care to his victims. He thinks cause he ( had a bit of money laws don’t apply )
he also would have got in his car and drove if he hadn’t crashed the boat. i hope the Island charge him massive to remove his wreck.