Man sentenced for crashing 24 foot vessel on the Isles of Scilly while drunk
Joshua Street was fined and order to pay compensation and costs at Truro Magistrates Court.
A man has been sentenced after crashing a 24-foot vessel into another boat on the Isles of Scilly while drunk.
29-year-old Joshua Street was found by police the morning after the incident, asleep on his boat. Street, who is from the Isles of Scilly, was prosecuted under the Merchant Shipping Act.
On Monday 1st of June, Street appeared at Truro Magistrates Court for sentencing, having pleaded guilty to having committed an act which was likely to have caused the loss or destruction of, or serious damage to, a ship or structure.
The court fined him £1,760 and he was ordered to pay £16,271 in compensation and costs following the investigation by Devon & Cornwall Police.
The court heard how on the evening of the 12th of September 2024 at New Grimsby Harbour, Tresco on the Isles of Scilly, a moored vessel belonging to Tresco Island was hit by a 24ft vessel piloted by Street. The collision caused significant damage totalling over £55,000 in repairs.
Evidence showed Street to be between two to four times the road drink driving limit at the time.
Police found him the following morning asleep on his boat and arrested him.
Investigating officer PC Robin Strickland of St Mary’s Police Station, said: “The Isles of Scilly is a unique community where boating is an essential part of everyday life.
“We encourage those using vessels to have an understanding of basic maritime requirements such as International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea and to operate in a responsible and safe way.
“Where it is deemed that behaviour on the water is irresponsible or reckless then the Police and Maritime Coastguard Agency will always seek to deal with matters positively and this prosecution is a demonstration of that commitment.
“I’d also like to thank all those who supported the investigation.”