Would-Be Sailor Taken to Mental Health Facility
A 75-year-old man was committed to the county’s mental health ward for observation Friday after trying to launch a garbage-strewn, rickety and unseaworthy sailboat into the waters at Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard, authorities said.
Harbor officials, police and boatyard workers had repeatedly warned Robert Davenport, whose home is his 1979 Plymouth sedan, not to set sail in the 26-foot “Anni Rose” because it would sink.
About 9 a.m., Davenport backed his trailer into the water, on top of which sat the unregistered sloop with no sails.
“He backed his boat in and it immediately took on water,” said Harbor Patrol Officer Dennis Witzke. “Half the car slid into the water with the boat and then he got out and tried to cut all the wires and lines holding it on.”
Oxnard firefighters responded and pulled Davenport out of the water. He was not arrested, but Oxnard police and sheriff’s deputies had to wrestle him into handcuffs for the ride to the mental health facility in Ventura, Witzke said.
The boat, trailer and Davenport’s Plymouth were towed, and Witzke said harbor officials are considering citing him because piles of paint cans and other garbage and wood from the boat drifted into the water.
Sheriff’s Capt. Keith Parks said Davenport would remain under observation for up to 72 hours.
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