Intoxicated passenger drops cruise ship anchor on Holland America Ryndam

[alexmst]

(CNN) -- A Holland America cruise ship was disrupted early Saturday morning by an intoxicated passenger who released the ship's anchor, according to an affidavit obtained by The Smoking Gun website.

California resident Rick Ehlert, 44, released the anchor and a life buoy between 5:25 a.m. and 5:55 a.m., according to the affidavit.

The MS Ryndam was unharmed, but the release of the anchor could have caused "significant damage to the ship's rudder or propeller, which could disable the ship's ability to maneuver, or puncturing of the ship, which could result in sinking or severe flooding," according to the affidavit.

The ship was traveling from Costa Maya, Mexico, to Tampa, Florida.

A surveillance video shows Ehlert taking multiple steps to deploy the anchor while the ship was in motion. The MS Ryndam's maximum speed is 22 knots, which is approximately 25 mph, according to Holland America's website.

Ehlert confessed to dropping the ship's anchor when questioned by special agents from the FBI. He admitted to being intoxicated at the time and detailed the multiple steps he took in deploying the anchor, including entering an area marked as off-limits to passengers.

"There is probable cause to believe on November 27 that Rick Ehlert did attempt to damage, destroy, disable, or wreck a vessel," FBI agent John Manning stated in the affidavit

 

[a 1 player]

What an asshat. He should be jailed,people could have lost their lives over that foolishness.

 

[Cycleguy007]

OMG! That's the ship and the cruise my parents just returned from!

I'll have to find out what happened from their perspective.

 

[Bubba]

OMG! That's the ship and the cruise my parents just returned from!

I'll have to find out what happened from their perspective.

You kidding :neutral:

 

[Cycleguy007]

You kidding :neutral:

No... totally serious...

My parents emigrated to Canada right after they were married in the spring of 1955 aboard a Holland America liner call the Ryndam (II).

This year, to commemorate the event, for their 55 wedding anniversary, they decided to take a Caribbean cruise abroad the latest ship to bear the same name; Ryndam (III)

I just heard from my dad and he said yes, they knew there was a problem but weren't given too many details... "it happened Saturday morning, It did delay us a few hours but there was enough time to catch up in order to make port Sunday morning. We were just floating for quite a while, they even went back to search the area in case someone had fallen ovecommunity. I hope they throw the book at that idiot and have him pay for damages plus a hefty fine."

:shock:

 

[Bubba]

No... totally serious...

My parents emigrated to Canada right after they were married in the spring of 1955 aboard a Holland America liner call the Ryndam (II).

This year, to commemorate the event, for their 55 wedding anniversary, they decided to take a Caribbean cruise abroad the latest ship to bear the same name; Ryndam (III)

I just heard from my dad and he said yes, they knew there was a problem but weren't given too many details... "it happened Saturday morning, It did delay us a few hours but there was enough time to catch up in order to make port Sunday morning. We were just floating for quite a while, they even went back to search the area in case someone had fallen ovecommunity. I hope they throw the book at that idiot and have him pay for damages plus a hefty fine."

:shock:

Good too hear that all is well.

 

[RayFinkel]

The depths some people will go for a laugh :happy: