Yacht Captain Accused of Joy-Riding

New troubles have surfaced for the captain of a yacht that was damaged over the weekend when it drifted into a jetty off the coast of Oceanside.

On Tuesday, salvage crews towed in the 56-foot pleasure boat called the "Smooth Operator" after a recovery effort that cost an estimated $100,000.

The boat was having engine problems before it drifted into the jetty at the northern end of Harbor Beach Saturday night. By the next morning the boat had listed and sank in shallow water.

The Smooth Operator and its two passengers were helped by lifeguards who tried to drop the boat's anchor to keep it from smashing into the rocks. 

Now, one of the owners of the yacht, Richard Crook of Fallbrook claims his captain, Geoff Quillin didn't have permission to operate the boat and should face criminal charges, according to our media partners at the North County Times.

Oceanside police told the paper that they are investigating Quillin and may charge him with a misdemanor of maritime joy-riding.

Crook said he had no idea the boat was anywhere but safe at the dock until a friend who saw the stranded boat on the news called him Sunday morning, he told the paper.

To read more on this story, go to the full article in the North County Times.

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