Maritime Accident News

Passenger pleads guilty to letting go cruise ship anchor

Citing that he was drunk at the time of the incident, a cruise ship passenger pled guilty to dropping the anchor of a cruise ship last year.

California resident Rick Ehlert, 45, faces up to 45 years in prison for one count of attempting damage to a maritime facility. He pled guilty to letting go the 18-ton stern anchor of the Holland America MS Ryndam while on a voyage from Costa Mayo, Mexico to Tampa on Nov 27, 2010. Surveillance video recorded him entering a restricted area and committing the act.

Ehlert told authorities that the anchor system was similar to one on his own 50-foot boat.

Investigators said damage was avoided because the anchor did not reach the sea bed.

Source: Orlando Sentinel

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