Legal action taken against yacht helmsman and Thai crew

PHOTOS: Newshawk Phuket

Legal action has been taken against a Scottish helmsman and a Thai yacht charter ‘caretaker’ in Saturday’s luxury yacht fire.

The Phuket PR Office reports that the the fire started by ‘natural causes’ after the 51 foot yacht was hit by lightning just after 4pm on Saturday afternoon.

Police have already taken legal action against the helmsman on the day and the yacht’s Thai ‘caretaker’. The court has judged the yacht helmsman, David Stewart Toy from Scotland, and a Thai yacht caretaker were partly responsible.

Both have admitted fault in the matter. The yacht’s helmsman on the day, David, doesn’t have a certificate. He was charged and found guilty of operating a yacht without a license. He was handed down a suspended sentence of three months and fined 3,000 baht.

The Thai ‘caretaker’ was handed down a suspended two month sentence and fined 2,000 baht.

The luxury Beneteau yacht was completely destroyed after catching fire north off Koh Ngam in Phang Nga Bay on Saturday. Nine British passengers were plucked out of the water by another passing charter vessel.

Read more about the incident HERE.

Read more about the Marine Office warning to avoid the area of the sinking HERE.