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'I was Drunk': Passenger Drops Anchor of Moving Cruise Ship in the Middle of the Caribbean
Daily Mail (UK) ^ | December 1, 2010

Posted on 12/01/2010 4:33:12 PM PST by Cecily

A drunk cruise ship passenger has been arrested after dropping the anchor on a moving liner. Rick Ehlert, 44, went into a restricted area, put on work gloves and released the anchor of the 1,260-passenger ship in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico, said the FBI. For good measure he also threw a life buoy overboard as the liner made its way from Costa Maya on the Caribbean coast of Mexico to Tampa, Florida. The sailing enthusiast is now in custody and faces charges of attempting to damage a vessel and endangering a ship's safe navigation. If found guilty he could have to pay a $250,000 (£160,000) fine and be imprisoned for up to 20 years.

(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: anchor; drunk
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To: John D

There are currently 6 unemployed people for every 1 job opening in this country.

The math does not support your logic... sorry.


61 posted on 12/01/2010 5:34:53 PM PST by The Magical Mischief Tour (With The Resistance...)
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To: Raider Sam
And if you dare disagree, you are a troll.

Yep, sadly that's what Free Republic has become in the last two or three years.

62 posted on 12/01/2010 5:35:43 PM PST by The Magical Mischief Tour (With The Resistance...)
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To: 1rudeboy

I didnt say he was sentenced to death, I say Hodar sentenced him to death (in his own mind).


63 posted on 12/01/2010 5:36:16 PM PST by Raider Sam (They're on our left, right, front, and back. They aint gettin away this time!)
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To: John D

So everyone who wants a job gets one right now, and 10% of the population just chooses not to?


64 posted on 12/01/2010 5:37:27 PM PST by Raider Sam (They're on our left, right, front, and back. They aint gettin away this time!)
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To: FreedomOfExpression; Hodar
since no one was reported to be missing or hurt, and the ship was undamaged.

Well now you've gone done it, inserting fact into his rant...

65 posted on 12/01/2010 5:37:36 PM PST by The Magical Mischief Tour (With The Resistance...)
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To: Tagurit
Hey Bubba,,, Hold my beer ‘n watch this!

That's what I was thinking. If the guy was bombed and it was just a prank, then I think it's pretty funny.

66 posted on 12/01/2010 5:38:14 PM PST by Cobra64
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To: John D; The Magical Mischief Tour

If an off-duty cop had shot the guy, our dear colleague TMMT would be having an aneurysm.


67 posted on 12/01/2010 5:39:08 PM PST by 1rudeboy
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To: The Magical Mischief Tour
at 105,000 displaced tons, traveling at 20 knots it would snap with a thunderous explosion, dent up the outer hull a bit and ensure that the continual endless evolution of painting the ship is safe.

Maybe on a Battleship. You want data, let's throw some math at this.

Kinetic Energy = 1/2 (mass) x (speed)^2.
Look it up.

70,000 tons = 63 502 931.8 Kg 20 knots = 10.288 Meters/sec The energy that would be expended at a absolute stop would be

0.5 x (63,500,000) x (10)^2 Joules
~3.175 Billion Joules. That is a lot of energy to dissipate.

Now we both know that the ocean floor will likely not grab the anchor and stop it and snap the chain ... it will dissipate this energy, or some percentage of this energy over time. But, the energy will be dissipated in stopping the ship quickly, possibly permanently damaging the structural integrity of the ship, certainly impacting the passengers (who are travelling at 20 knots with the ship) who will be propelled forward without warning, into God only knows what fate. As for the shear point of the anchor chain - assuming that the shear point is reached - there will be a horrible explosion if that happens - assuming the shear point is reached. Personally, I doubt the chain will break, I do expect the ship will face extensive structural repairs - if the damage isn't to the extent that the ship can be repaired vs 'totaled' and condemned.

Meanwhile the cruise line has either extensive repairs, or a lost ship; certainly lots of unhappy vactioners who planned their vacation monthes or years out, an unknown number of

68 posted on 12/01/2010 5:39:53 PM PST by Hodar (Who needs laws .... when this "feels" so right?)
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To: Raider Sam
No, you imagined that he did. Big difference.
69 posted on 12/01/2010 5:40:34 PM PST by 1rudeboy
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To: The Magical Mischief Tour
If that were true people would not still be coming over the borders getting jobs. The jobs too many Americans will not take.
When the help wanted ads dry up I will say we have a problem. Until then I say that there are jobs. Maybe not dream jobs, but there are jobs. I know, I have taken some of them.
70 posted on 12/01/2010 5:42:47 PM PST by John D
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To: Hodar
When you drop an anchor of a ship with a displacment in the neighborhood of 70,000 tons, moving at ~20 knots - what do you suppose happens? Do you suppose someone might get hurt?

Most likely outcome would be the loss of the anchor and the chain, as the chains are not attached to the ship. You must brake the windlass and hold the chain back. If you don't, it just keeps going out.

71 posted on 12/01/2010 5:43:02 PM PST by SampleMan (If all of the people currently oppressed shared a common geography, bullets would already be flying.)
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To: 1rudeboy

Post 19:

If it were permissible to boil him in oil, soak him in acid ... you bet I’d do it. Personally, if I had my way - I’t take the ship out about 20 miles and toss him over board - after I chummed the waters.


72 posted on 12/01/2010 5:44:18 PM PST by Raider Sam (They're on our left, right, front, and back. They aint gettin away this time!)
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To: FreedomOfExpression
At any rate, his plan went awry, since no one was reported to be missing or hurt, and the ship was undamaged.

But, the point remains ... the action took place - and by the fate of God - no one was hurt. Do we excuse a person who burns a theater full of people - just because his fire bomb failed to detonate? Do you excuse the drunk who almosts kills your family - because he was drunk? No, we hold people responsible for their actions. We do not pass the buck. He intentionally committed this act, and he should pay the full price for his actions.

73 posted on 12/01/2010 5:45:07 PM PST by Hodar (Who needs laws .... when this "feels" so right?)
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To: Raider Sam
I missed that one, I withdraw my comment. Thanks.

(I'd still want to kick the guy's ass, though . . . and anyone who dared to claim "no harm, no foul" to my face).

74 posted on 12/01/2010 5:46:23 PM PST by 1rudeboy
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To: 1rudeboy
If an off-duty cop had shot the guy, our dear colleague TMMT would be having an aneurysm.

Just like any other liberal moveoner.
75 posted on 12/01/2010 5:46:41 PM PST by John D
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To: SampleMan; Hodar
Most likely outcome would be the loss of the anchor and the chain, as the chains are not attached to the ship. You must brake the windlass and hold the chain back. If you don't, it just keeps going out.

Yeah, facts as counter to his argument as they maybe, they seem to be escaping him today...

76 posted on 12/01/2010 5:48:27 PM PST by The Magical Mischief Tour (With The Resistance...)
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To: SampleMan; Hodar
Most likely outcome would be the loss of the anchor and the chain, as the chains are not attached to the ship. You must brake the windlass and hold the chain back. If you don't, it just keeps going out.

Yeah, facts as counter to his argument as they may be, they seem to be escaping him today...

77 posted on 12/01/2010 5:48:30 PM PST by The Magical Mischief Tour (With The Resistance...)
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To: John D
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2635591/posts
78 posted on 12/01/2010 5:49:49 PM PST by FreedomOfExpression
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To: Hodar
Do we excuse a person who burns a theater full of people - just because his fire bomb failed to detonate?

How can he burn a theater full of people if the device does not work?

You are entering the realm of Straw Man here my friend...

79 posted on 12/01/2010 5:50:32 PM PST by The Magical Mischief Tour (With The Resistance...)
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To: Raider Sam
I say Hodar sentenced him to death (in his own mind).

Get the facts right. If I could sentence him to death - I would. You see, you are not willing to hold people accountable for their actions. For you, there are no consequences, there is no acceptance of responsibility. It's always someone else's fault. I guess the Devil made him do it, he had no choice in his decision at all. I wonder if you extend this same thought into your personal life too? Never accept the consequences of your actions? Blame everyone else? Oh, it's never your fault. You were drunk, or you were mad and someone 'made' you do something.

You see, where we differ is that I'm a Big boy ... I take responsibility for my decisions, I pay the consequences for my actions - I am a man. Pity your parents failed to teach you these very basic tenants of being a man.

So, blame the alchol, blame it on boyish pranks - and if some day a drunk driver kills a loved one ... I want you to plead the court for lenency, after all, I'd hate to see you be a hyprocrite too.

80 posted on 12/01/2010 5:51:04 PM PST by Hodar (Who needs laws .... when this "feels" so right?)
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