Thread: Man Arrested For Dropping Anchor on a Moving Ryndam

A California man who says he was drunk dropped anchor on a moving cruise ship, the FBI said.

According to an FBI affidavit posted on The Smoking Gun website, 44-year-old passenger Rick Ehlert entered a restricted area, put on work gloves and released the rear anchor on Holland America's MS Ryndam.

It was heading from Costa Maya, Mexico, to Tampa, Florida.

Ehlert is in custody and faces US federal charges of attempting to damage a vessel and endangering a ship's safe navigation. The ship was not damaged on Saturday.

But the FBI says the anchor could have punctured the ship and caused it to sink or severely flood.

The FBI said Ehlert acknowledged releasing the anchor and throwing a life buoy overboard.

The affidavit said Ehlert explained that the anchor system was similar to that on his 50-foot boat.

FMI: The Press Association: Drunken man 'dropped ship anchor'

You can read even more details about it at The Smoking Gun

Here are some facts gleaned from the FBI affidavit:

1. • Ehlert (the suspect) admitted to entering the restricted anchor room.
   • Ehlert then donned work gloves.
   • Ehlert also admitted to taking several complicated steps to release the anchor
   • MS Ryndam's Captain made an announcement asking for information.
   • When no one came forward, a safety and muster drill alarm was sounded and all passengers and crew were gathered on deck.
   • Review of Surveillance video revealed Ehlert as the suspect.

We heard about this while on our cruise -- it was the talk of the ship.