My yacht is impounded

[TooCoys]

Originally Posted by ArmyDaveNY

You might be right, on the other hand...

I can think of three possibilities.
1. He is innocent and the story is as simple as the OP presented.
2. There is more to the story and this will determine his guilty/innocence and the degree of that guilt/innocence.
3. He is guilty and he is lying.

Perhaps there's a 4th.

4. This is a troll post that has worked as intended.

The OP has a total of 4 posts, and hasn't yet responded to over 9 pages of posts and inquiries. It's fairly easy to create an account on this forum using any one of a million free email hosts, dig up a boating related news story, and embellish that story in a thread.

I'd say y'all have all been had.

[ArmyDaveNY]

Originally Posted by TooCoys

Perhaps there's a 4th.

4. This is a troll post that has worked as intended.

The OP has a total of 4 posts, and hasn't yet responded to over 9 pages of posts and inquiries. It's fairly easy to create an account on this forum using any one of a million free email hosts, dig up a boating related news story, and embellish that story in a thread.

I'd say y'all have all been had.

Good catch. Yes, this is a possibility. It will be fun to see how this turns out though!

[CarinaPDX]

No, he doesn't look like a troll. He joined 7 years ago and his 3 previous posts about solar appear totally legit. It is far more likely that he was looking for ideas on recovering his boat, whatever his knowledge of the drug smuggling - that part seems clear. And either way he didn't include many details, which I do not take of itself to be indicative of anything. There are clearly more relevant details that we don't know yet. So there are really just two possibilities: either he was incredibly naive and generous (and may have known the mechanic better than just in passing) or he knew that something dodgy was being done and he may have expected a return on his risk. We cannot know which with the information available. My life's experiences cast doubt on the naive and generous explanation. And trying to pick up a bit of tax-free unreported income without actually doing the smuggling seems appealing to too many people, so must be the most likely explanation, barring further information to the contrary. As for the OP, if he is innocent he is not going to like the drift of this thread, and if he is guilty he must realize that his guilt is not nearly as well disguised as he had hoped. Either way I don't see why he would come back here.

Greg

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by CarinaPDX

No, he doesn't look like a troll. He joined 7 years ago and his 3 previous posts about solar appear totally legit. It is far more likely that he was looking for ideas on recovering his boat, whatever his knowledge of the drug smuggling - that part seems clear. And either way he didn't include many details, which I do not take of itself to be indicative of anything. There are clearly more relevant details that we don't know yet. So there are really just two possibilities: either he was incredibly naive and generous (and may have known the mechanic better than just in passing) or he knew that something dodgy was being done and he may have expected a return on his risk. We cannot know which with the information available. My life's experiences cast doubt on the naive and generous explanation. And trying to pick up a bit of tax-free unreported income without actually doing the smuggling seems appealing to too many people, so must be the most likely explanation, barring further information to the contrary. As for the OP, if he is innocent he is not going to like the drift of this thread, and if he is guilty he must realize that his guilt is not nearly as well disguised as he had hoped. Either way I don't see why he would come back here.

Greg

Yep, good analysis!

[RaymondR]

Good post CarinaPDX.

[Celestialsailor]

I got about as far as page 5 here and began my yawn reflex.

So here's my take away from all this...Please realize if you take a guest out for a sail as we all do. Even making it perfectly clear to them, you DO NOT want any recreational drugs onboard. Even though you might do that and they lite up anyways or get caught during a USCG boarding, same things happen. They can take your boat and you're screwed.

We all take people out. Some times friends of friends who might not respect your advice not to carry while onboard.

[mlinden]

I have heard of people having their boat stolen and then finding it and re-stealing it back. I wonder if you could hire a team to take the boat back. Once in international waters, I'm not sure anyone can touch them.

[Stewie12]

Stealing your boat back is not an option. The crew would end up in a Spanish jail.

[skenn_ie]

Try contacting the Spanish Navy directly and see if they are receptive to an explanation.
Try contacting the Croatian embassy or consulate in S.A. and see if they can offer any assistance.

[Leighpilot]

You can likely do this without a lawyer though you will have to go there. You’ll need documentation that the guy had been given permission to move the boat and that you had no other contact with him , you’ll likely get your boat back. Dont get smart and try sneak your boat out. Aircraft and fast patrol boats will have you back in harbour by the end of the day and then you and your boat will be stuck there for years.

[Leighpilot]

Not a great idea. A). You’ll like be caught before you get far enough away. B) If you do get away , the crew and boat will have to stay out of countries that have no extradition treaty with the EU. The law never forgets. A buddy of mine pulled a similar fast one recovering a daughter and a years later ended up in a Ukrainian prison.

[PocketNaomi]

Originally Posted by GordMay

There's actually a plea for that; it's called nolo contendere. 🙂

[pma_foyl]

I can’t believe this thread has gone on so long, with so much concern and advice. The OP is involved… he will be arrested… the boat is the least of his worries. It’s over.

[Stewie12]

The boat had drugs on it and you will not get it back. You can try to buy it back when it is auctioned after the trial.

[aeronautic1]

Originally Posted by Pete7

Plus do they know who you are and were they can contact you?

Perhaps write, yes write to them explaining and include evidence like copies of the ships papers and an insurance certificate. Dodgy people don't normally insure yachts.

Pete

You have, of course, contacted your embassy over this matter. What do they say?

Tell us you didn't just hand him over the keys to your sailboat with a handshake? Tell us you have something in writing. Sounds to me like you were attempting to get a free yacht delivery across the pond. How many years have you known this mechanic?