A BOAT owner whose poor seamanship saw him crash into rocks near a popular Isle of Wight viewpoint – seriously injuring three of his friends in the process – has been sentenced.

At a previous hearing, Ian Sullivan, of Swindon, admitted failure to keep a proper lookout and failure to proceed at a safe speed under The Merchant Shipping (Distress Signals and Prevention of Collisions) Regulations 1996.

The charges relate to the grounding of the 55-year-old's vessel, Sully, in Totland Bay, in September 2022.

Three passengers on board the motorboat sustained serious injuries when the vessel collided with rocks at the shoreline, with one of the crew suffering life-changing injuries.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Several witnesses reported that the brightly lit motor cruiser crossed Totland Bay at speed on the night of September 24, and would have been unlikely to maintain a proper lookout.

The vessel continued without deviating or slowing down before grounding on the shore at high speed.

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The incident sparked an extensive search and rescue response, involving HM Coastguard, the RNLI and police.

The grounding caused serious damage to the vessel, which has proved impossible to salvage and remains marooned high and dry on the shore.

During the sentencing, His Honour Judge Newton-Price said Sullivan operated his boat in an unsafe manner, and as a result, caused his passengers significant injuries.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Consumption of alcohol affected Sullivan’s judgement, he added.

Appearing at Portsmouth Crown Court for sentencing today (Friday), Sullivan was fined £20,000, and handed an 18-week prison term, suspended for 12 months, to include 150 hours of unpaid work.

Mark Cam, senior investigator with the MCA's Regulatory Compliance Investigations Team (RCIT), said: “This result demonstrates that the MCA will always take appropriate and necessary action when a complete lack of compliance and disregard for the laws of the sea are shown.

"It compromises not only safety, but ultimately the lives of many.

Isle of Wight County Press:

“Mr Sullivan’s vessel was wrecked and three of his friends seriously injured.

"We want to send a clear message that such offences are not acceptable and those unwilling to follow rules and regulation and improve standards of safety will face the full weight of the law.”