A Swindon architect has been charged after people were seriously injured in a boat crash.
Ian Sullivan, 55, was due to appear at Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court this morning (Thursday) – but the case was suddenly adjourned for unknown reasons.
The defendant, of The Orchard, South Marston, is said to have been skippering a luxury motorboat named Sully when it crashed into a cliff in Totland Bay back in September last year.
The incident sparked a huge emergency response from various agencies, including the HM Coastguard helicopter, Yarmouth RNLI lifeboat and two Coastguard Rescue Teams.
Numerous casualties were airlifted to hospital with serious injuries, a spokesperson for the HM Coastguard confirmed shortly after the incident.
Sullivan now faces charges of misconduct of a master or crew likely to endanger ships or structures or individuals – an offence under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995.
He is accused of failing to maintain a proper lookout by sight and hearing and all available means, as well as failing to proceed at a safe speed so that he could take proper and effective action to avoid a collision.
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.
The case was adjourned until 24 March.
