An architect from Wiltshire who was skippering a luxury motorboat which crashed into a cliff in the West Wight last year has denied endangering those onboard.
Ian Sullivan, of The Orchard in South Marston, appeared before the courts in Portsmouth last week charged with ‘misconduct of master/crew likely to endanger ships/structures/individuals’ – an offence under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.
It relates to an incident in Totland Bay back in September last year when the boat ‘Sully’ crashed head-on into a cliff near Headon Warren viewpoint.
The incident, which happened in darkness at 21:17 on 22nd September 2022, led to Yarmouth RNLI lifeboat, Coastguard Rescue 175 helicopter and 2 Coastguard Rescue Teams being scrambled to the scene. Multiple casualties were taken off the wrecked vessel by the Coastguard helicopter, some with serious injuries.
It is said that the 55-year-old is accused of failing to maintain a proper lookout by sight and hearing and all available means appropriate, as well as failing to proceed at a safe speed so that he could take proper and effective action to avoid a collision – something which did not occur.
It’s alleged his actions caused or were likely to have caused the death or serious injury to a person, amounting to a breach or neglect of duty.
Sullivan is to appear at Portsmouth Crown Court for trial on 24th April. He has been bailed until that time.
Omg, the wreckage is still there? What an absolute idiot, showing off perhaps? Lucky no one was killed? Maybe he was drunk? Who knows, but the rescue teams were called out who risked their lives to help the seriously injured. Someone is accountable, he obviously did not know how what he was doing? Make him pay for the rescue teams called out, the people taken to hospital, the removal of the boat?
Removal of the boat is going to be very expensive. Cranes can’t get near enough to it either from land or sea. That’s why it’s still there. Only a matter of time before it starts leaking oil and fluids onto the beach and into the sea.
You mean the whole thing hasn’t been stripped apart yet? In other places it’ll just be the frame left to show for it
He can deny it all he likes, simple fact is, if you are the skipper of a boat, be it a row boat on a lake, or super tanker, all responsibility lies with you.
This man is clearly at fault, and needs to be true to himself.
Lucky he didn’t run down another vessel, as many boats anchor in totland bay in fair weather.
An architect of his own downfall !!