Published: October 24, 2008
'Captain Calamity' trimaran banned from sailing by Harbour Master

The trimaran that was this week rescued twice in 48 hours by Coastguards and lifeboat crews has been banned from the water by Burnham-On-Sea's harbour master Chris Spencer.

Mr Spencer, who is also a safety officer for RNLI, said of the skipper Anthony Woodford, who has been branded 'Captain Calamity' by Coastguards: "I have detained him under my authority and harbour safety law."

"He understands he is not to go to sea until it is safe to do so. If he does go out to sea he could be arrested or go to jail."

Mr Spencer explained that as the boat is not seaworthy it will have to be transported by road back to Mr Woodford's home in Whitstable, Kent.

Mr Spencer boarded the trimaran on Wednesday morning to make a safety inspection and found there were unsafe safety flares onboard dating back to the 1970s. Coastguards were alerted and the Royal Logistics Corp Bomb Disposal Team from Tidworth near Salisbury (pictured at the top of this page) were called to safely remove the flares.

It came after the trimaran had to be rescued for the second time in 48 hours on Tuesday night after going aground on mudflats near Burnham-On-Sea.

Burnham-On-Sea.com was first to report on Sunday how the trimaran had been overdue into Burnham and was located by an RAF Rescue Helicopter and taken in tow by Barry Dock lifeboat into Barry with two persons onboard after suffering engine problems.