Gosford: Tyson Clarke pleads guilty to operating tinny with a high range PCA

An unrepentant drunk, who sparked a widespread search when he fell overboard from his tinny in dismal conditions, rang police to gloat about it afterwards, a court has heard.

It’s never a good idea to go boating in squalling wind, driving rain and rough, choppy seas.

It’s even worse of an idea on the second day of a serious bender involving two cartons of VB and the boat you’re in is a small yellow runabout dinghy.

But that is exactly what “repeat marine offender” Tyson Clarke did when he found himself in trouble in terrible conditions trying to navigate the Gosford broadwater about 4.30pm on February 2.

The 26-year-old faced Gosford Local Court on Thursday where he pleaded guilty to one count of operating a vessel with a high range prescribed concentration of alcohol (PCA).

Police allege Clarke was on a video call with his family when he fell overboard from his small yellow runabout.

Tyson Clarke, 26, of Woy Woy, has pleaded guilty to one count of operating a boat with a high range prescribed concentration of alcohol. Picture: NewsLocal

“At the time of the incident the conditions could be described as dismal with a strong south easterly wind, heavy rain and a short period choppy swell,” an agreed set of facts state.

“The accused has claimed to have consumed in excess of two cartons of full strength VB stubbies and had been on a bender since Tuesday, February 1.

“Based on the above conditions the accused has immediately gotten into trouble resulting from him at some stage falling into the water.”

Police were notified, sparking an extensive response from emergency services including Brisbane Water officers, Marine Area Command and a Rural Fire Service vessel.

“Police have located the accused adrift in the vicinity of jetties in Point Clare where he was banging into private wharves holding onto his boat,” the facts state.

Clarke reeked of alcohol and was taken back to Woy Woy Police Station where he later recorded a blood-alcohol level of 0.168.

Clarke told police he had consumed two cartons of VB in the two days leading up to the incident. Picture: file.

“The actions of the accused would be described as reckless based on the conditions, his level of intoxication and obvious lack of ability to safely navigate a vessel,” the facts state.

“The accused showed no remorse for his actions and is of the belief he can do what he wants.”

When asked about his boat licence Clarke told officers “I’m aboriginal, I do not need a licence to drive a boat I was going under 10 knots”.

He also went on to state “I can drive my boat however I like, if I don’t need a licence why can’t I drink”.

Clarke leaving Gosford Local Court after pleading guilty to one count of operating a boat with a high range prescribed concentration of alcohol. Picture: NewsLocal

The facts state Clarke was a “repeat marine offender” who had been convicted of similar offences in the past.

“The accused committed the offences which triggered a significant emergency response with a number of resources deployed to rescue the accused in conditions described as extreme,” the facts state.

Clarke was adjourned for six weeks to undergo a sentence assessment report before he returns to court on June 16.