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Rick Ehlert: Drunk Passenger Drops Cruise Ship Anchor

by Jordan Yerman | November 30, 2010 at 12:05 pm

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Rick Ehlert Drops MS Ryndam Anchor While Intoxicated

Cruise passenger Rick Ehlert released the MS Ryndam's stern anchor, as well as one of its life buoys, while drunk. While featured in a Pirates of the Caribbean movie, dropping anchor while a ship is moving can result in that ship sinking if the hull is damaged.

The 719-foot MS Ryndam was traveling from Costa Maya, Mexico to Tampa, Florida, and was undamaged in the incident. Rick Ehlert was arrested after the incident. It's unclear how a passeneer was able to access the restricted area necessary to deploy the anchor.

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.

During his confession, Manning reported, Ehlert admitted entering a restricted area, donning work gloves, and taking several steps to release the anchor.