Drunken Scots skipper fined for crashing fishing boat after falling asleep
Shaun MacInnes denied drinking, claiming he'd simply fallen asleep due to stress
A drunk skipper has been fined for causing serious damage to a fishing boat when he fell asleep after drinking.
Shaun MacInnes, from Eriskay, was in charge of the FV Annette when it ran aground on the Isle of Rum on 31 March 2022.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) investigated the incident and interviewed MacInnes who denied drinking. He said he had fallen asleep because he was tired due to his personal circumstances.
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
During the trial, the court heard evidence that MacInnes had been directed by its owner to take the wooden hulled vessel from Eriskay to Mallaig for repairs.
While in Mallaig, MacInnes called the owner, stating that he intended to take the deckhand to the Isle of Rum 'sightseeing' once repairs were made. The owner agreed on the strict understanding that MacInnes did not consume any alcohol before or during the trip.
During the trial, witnesses gave evidence about the condition MacInnes was in when they encountered him.
This included a fisheries officer who spoke with MacInnes just after 4pm. He could smell beer on his breath and saw that he was unsteady on his feet, slurring his words and at one point, fell off the skipper's chair which was surrounded by empty cans of beer.
The fisheries officer was so concerned about MacInnes condition and his stated intention of setting sail for Rum that he called the police.
A police officer arrived and boarded the vessel, finding MacInnes asleep in the wheelhouse. He managed to wake him with the assistance of the deckhand.
Again, MacInnes was unsteady on his feet, slurring his words and was unable to remain focused. The officer established their intention to go to sea and persuaded them to remain in Mallaig and sleep off the effects before they next set sail the following day.
Just after 10pm that evening the Coastguard responded to a Mayday call from the boat after it ran aground on rocks.
The boat sustained significant damage and was recovered and escorted back to Mallaig escorted by the Mallaig lifeboat.
MacInnes was fined £2,000 with a £75 victim surcharge and ordered to pay £1,000 in compensation.
Speaking after the sentencing, Debbie Carroll, who leads on health and safety investigations for the COPFS, said: 'It is clear from the evidence led at trial that Shaun MacInnes ignored instructions from the owner of the vessel and the police in taking an unnecessary trip while under the effects of alcohol and fell asleep.
'As the master of the vessel, he failed to keep a proper lookout and caused it to run aground putting his and his deckhand's lives at risk, causing serious damage to the boat and the needless deployment of emergency service resources.
'COPFS will continue to work closely with the MCA to ensure anyone who breaks the law faces prosecutorial action.'
Jay Staff, MCA Deputy Head of Regulatory, Compliance and Investigations, said: 'The MCA will always support partners or take action itself against seafarers or operators behaving dangerously anywhere in the UK.
'We will always work to hold responsible those who, like Shaun MacInnes, put crew, other seafarers and the public at risk by failing to follow the rules that keep people safe on the water.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
'Fall from boat' on Loch Lomond as search underway for Scots ex-hotel boss
Alan Colquhoun, 83, is believed to have been with members of his family when he fell overboard. Divers are searching for the founder of a popular hotel after he fell from a boat on Loch Lomond. Alan Colquhoun, 83, is believed to have been with members of his family when he fell overboard on Thursday afternoon. Police and Coastguard have also been involved in the search for Mr Colquhoun, the dad-of-three who is the former owner of The Lodge on Loch Lomond Hotel. A source said the area has been swarming with police and search teams since the alarm was raised. They said: 'Divers have been out constantly every day since Thursday. There's police everywhere. 'They've never left the loch since the man went missing. 'It seems like they've been all over the place constantly since Thursday but still haven't been able to find him. 'A helicopter was also flying above the loch at one point. 'We haven't heard much about it but the search is still very much ongoing. 'We've also heard they're meant to be bringing in some kind of submarine in the morning to try and locate the man if he hasn't been found by then.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. The four-star Lodge on the Loch Lomond Hotel was built by Mr Colquhoun and his wife Elizabeth on the site of a derelict farm and opened on his 50th birthday in 1992. It is now owned and run by his son Niall and his wife Ann. The hotel was still open for business yesterday despite the ongoing search. A member of staff who answered the phone at the hotel refused to comment when called by the Record. The Colquhoun family is believed to have gone out on the loch on a boat from Freedom Boat Club at nearby Ardlui Marina. A spokesman there said: 'We can't comment as an investigation is still ongoing. 'Nobody has been found yet.' A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Around 12.35pm on Thursday, 26 June, we received a report of an 83-year-old man entering the water in Loch Lomond near Isle of Inchlonaig. 'Police and partner agencies attended and extensive searches are ongoing. 'Local officers have been assisted by our Dive and Marine Unit and Air Support Unit. 'Officers are continuing to keep the man's family updated.'
Metro
2 hours ago
- Metro
Victims lose hundreds of thousands of pounds to Booking.com holiday scam
As temperatures heat up and many of us start planning summer holidays, there are fears about a booking scam that could leave you thousands of pounds out of pocket. It could be as simple as a message or email from the hotel you have just reserved a stay with, asking for a payment to secure a your holiday. And because it comes through and looks legitimate, you rush to pay or hand over credit card details. They are not going to the hotel, however, but to scammers who have taken over a hotel's account. This type of fraud can be costly. Between June 2023 and September 2024, Action Fraud received 532 reports of scams of this sort, with a total of £370,000 lost. They believe fraudsters are using phishing attacks against accommodation providers to take over their accounts. They then send unexpected in-app messages, emails, and WhatsApp messages to customers. This means the usual warning signs of a scam, such as odd text messages or emails, do not apply. Action Fraud do not believe these take-overs are linked to backend system or infrastructure. The most important thing is to check that any communication you receive is genuine. If you receive any urgent payment requests, you should immediately reach out to the Customer Service team to confirm. Be aware that no genuine transaction will ever require a customer to provide their credit card details by phone, email, or text message (including WhatsApp). Although Fraud Action says a hotel provider may reach out to request payment information, like credit card details. But you should always verify the authenticity of the message before providing any information. You should also treat any links you are sent with suspicion. Authentic payments won't take place on a site other than or their app. also advises: 'Always double-check the property's payment policies listed on the booking page or in your confirmation email. If there is no pre-payment policy or deposit requirement outlined, but you're asked to pay in advance to secure your booking, it is likely a scam.' There are other giveaways of fraud you can still look out for. These include grammar and spelling mistakes, as well as urgency. If you realise too late that you have typed financial details into a site, get in touch with your bank in case they need to block or cancel your card. The fraudsters send messages that are designed to make you panic. They tell you there has been a problem with your credit card, of your banking details need to be verified, adding that without a response your reservation will be cancelled. There might be a link in the message for you to provide your banking details. Holidaymakers should also be aware of another scam that employs fake web pages. People are then tricked into downloading a malicious file that gives criminals full control of your device. More Trending According to technology firm HP Wolf Security, links to these web pages come in email. When customers access the site and press 'accept' to cookie before they can view the webpage, thjat triggers the file to download. said: 'Unfortunately, there is an increasing number of online scams targeting many businesses operating in the e-commerce space. With the rise of AI, cybercriminals are able to create increasingly sophisticated scams.' They added that continue to invest in cybersecurity, and stressed incidents on the platform were rare. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: The 'ASAB' warning anyone going on a holiday in 2025 should know MORE: The way you pay council tax could change – here's how MORE: Free hand luggage is not the win you think it is
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
Boy thugs threaten to 'kick baby in head' after surrounding terrified mother
Cops are probing the incident which is said to have involved three boys aged around 13. Police is Elgin are appealing for information after three teens threatened to kick a baby in the head. The incident happened near Linkwood Burn at around 5pm on Tuesday, June 24, when three boys, believed to be around 13, approached the woman as she walked near the bottom of Dove Avenue. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The youths allegedly threatened to assault her, made abusive remarks, said they would kick her baby in the head, and tried to steal her dog, leaving the woman terrified and forcing her to flee to a busier area for safety. The trio were described as wearing dark clothing, two had dark hair and one had fairer hair. They were last spotted heading towards the wooded area beside Linkwood Burn. Anyone with information is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101, fill out the online Contact Us form at Police Scotland's website, or report anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800555111 quoting reference PS-20250624-2892.
