TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 30 (UPI) -- A California man is facing charges for allegedly releasing the anchor on a moving cruise ship sailing between Mexico and Tampa, Fla., authorities said.
Rick Ehlert was captured on the ship's surveillance video Saturday deploying the anchor of the Holland American ship MS Ryndam as the ship was in motion.
Ehlert told investigators he was intoxicated when he released the anchor, The Tampa Tribune reported.
Ehlert, 44, faces federal charges of attempting to destroy, disable or wreck a vessel and attempting to damage a ship in a manner likely to endanger its safe navigation.
After he was identified on the video, the FBI and the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service detained Ehlert.
He told investigators he was familiar with the process of releasing the anchor because he owns a 50-foot boat with a similar setup.
The cruise ship wasn't damaged but could have been, authorities said, as releasing an anchor on a moving cruise ship could damage the rudder and propeller, disabling the vessel's ability to maneuver.
It could also puncture the ship, causing it to flood or sink, they said.
Ehlert could face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, the Tribune reported.
